**REVIEW** Emblaze by Jessica Shirvington

Release Date:  March 5, 2013
Published By:  Sourcebooks Fire
Length:  464 pages
Review Copy: Purchased, Hardcover

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Once again Violet Eden faces an impossible choice ... and the consequences are unimaginable. 

Violet has come to terms with the fact that being part angel, part human, means her life will never be as it was.

Now Violet has something Phoenix - the exiled angel who betrayed her - will do anything for, and she has no intention of letting it fall into his hands. The only problem is that he has something she needs too. 

Not afraid to raise the stakes, Phoenix seemingly holds all the power, always one step ahead. And when he puts the final pieces of the prophecy together, it doesn't take him long to realise exactly who he needs in order to open the gates of Hell.

With the help of surprising new allies, ancient prophecies are deciphered, a destination set and, after a shattering confrontation with her father, Violet leaves for the islands of Greece without knowing if she will have a home to return to...

  I have no clue where to even start with this one. The first two of this series really had me entranced. I mean I devoured them, love triangle and all but this one just didn't do it for me. Not that I didn't read it and enjoy it to a point but is what not what I thought it was going to be. I believe it served its purpose in the series, though I had hopes that some things would be resolved and allow some development in other areas. The entire fighting to stay apart and the reasons are just starting to run me a little thin. The writing was still wonderful and possibly why I still found myself interested.

  The plot as always was not what I would call steady but there is consistencies in it. There are parts that may be a little slower but everything is balanced out with action or some sort of twist. The characters are still all torn up with what happened in the last novel but also have to deal with the consequences of the happenings. There are far less rainbows and butterflies, more angst.  This one lacked in areas where the others had excelled.  I found the plot just a tad predictable, even though I had tried to make it less so in my mind.  There is still a lot to enjoy and I think I am sounding more negative than I mean to because despite the fact that the plot had its holes, I still started and finished being glad I picked the book up.

  I have always liked Violet for her determined ways and developing character.  She has continued to develop in some ways but she has also stays the same.  I have admired the strength that she carries within her and the fact that she is determined to be able to take care of herself.  She feels the need now more than ever to take care of herself but this also makes her make reckless mistakes.  Like meeting with Phoenix and not telling anyone.  I get that she is heartbroken over the Lincoln thing but she really just needs to make the decision to remove herself from the situation or get with him, screw the possible consequences.  Personally I am one for screw the consequences but she is most definitely not.  So despite Violet's growth, in order for her to fully develop I think she needs to make a decision.

  Now when it comes to the boys, I think that I am beyond confused.  This has to be one of the most difficult love triangles EVER!  I used to think I was Team Lincoln but after this I may have to go Team Phoenix.  Despite the fact that Linc is great and I love him, I just can not handle his hot and cold any more.  In every way he could be perfect with Violet but because of fear they play this dance that makes me want to trip them and drag them through the mud.  I just think that they could make the decision to be responsible and deal with the consequences if they happen or behave like mature people and accept the fact that they can't ever be together.  Where Linc is angering me, I think Phoenix is steppting in because at least his feelings and what he wants are in the open.  Yes, he was sneaky to start and maybe went about a few things the wrong way but I think somewhere in there he learned what he really wanted.  Not to mention that the little thing that him and Violet have going on is something that could ease the transition, plus she secretly meets with him as it is so how bad could a few more meetings to check out his intentions be.

  Overall this may not have been my favourite book in the series so far but Shirvinton is a talented author and I still have really high hopes for how things will go in the next book and the in the finale.  I think that many series that go over the trilogy mark suffer from a filler book at some point and time and this was the book for The Violet Eden Chapters.  There were things that this book had to accomplish and I believe that it did that but I am looking forward to some movement.  

  Dapper surprised me by sheathing an impressive-looking sword and slinging it over his shoulder before heading out.  Two thoughts came to mind when I saw it. Kill Bill   and   I'm going to have to broaden my weapon range.

It was more   much, much more.  It transcended anything he and I could ever be individually and was all about what we were together.  My soul was screaming for him, demanding that it have his.

  I nodded, my short-lived excitement fading fast.  I turned to ask Lincoln what he thought that meant, but he'd already disappeared outside.

  Way to make a girl feel pretty.