Dark Hope: Book One of the Archangel Prophecies , An Enticing Young Adult Novel

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I like to see myself as an avid reader and a definite lover of young adult fiction.

Yes, I enjoy some ‘adult’ titles as well.

But, by and large, I tend to favor the YA genre in part as I can read the same titles my boys are reading.  

I was thrilled to be sent Dark Hope, the first book in the Archangel Prophecies Trilogy by Monica McGurk, to review.

About Dark Hope

Dark Hope: Book One of the Archangel Prophecies

For years, Hope Carmichael, survivor of a shocking child abduction, has lived a sheltered existence under the protection of her fanatically religious father.

Now, liberated by her mother, Hope prepares to start life over as a normal kid in an Atlanta, Georgia, high school.

Normal, that is, until Hope meets Michael, a gorgeous emancipated teen with a mysterious past and a strong interest in her.

Soon, Hope’s life is filled with questions.

What’s behind the angry looks she gets from Lucas, leader of a gang of students?
Who’s responsible for sending Hope strange valentines inscribed with Bible quotations?
How does this relate to the sinister business of human tracking that operates on the periphery of Hope’s suburban world?
And is Michael really a protector, or something more sinister-and just why does he seem so familiar?

In an epic narrative that takes readers from the back streets of Atlanta to the height of Vegas penthouses and beyond, DARK HOPE introduces The Archangel Prophecies, a saga of extraordinary love, vast mythological scope, and great moral urgency.

Dark Hope is available in paperback or on Kindle.  A portion of proceeds from this book will be donated to organizations that fight human trafficking.

About Monica McGurk, Author of Dark Hope

Monica McGurk started out writing fan fiction based on Stephenie Meyer’s  Series under the pen name Consultant by Day.

She has been recognized for her prequels and alternate versions by her fans, winning the Twific Fandom “Undiscovered Gem” award for Morning Star in 2013.

Since her fan fiction days, she has left the consulting firm at which she was a senior partner and remains a full-time business executive based in Atlanta.

While this is her first novel of any sort, she has been published in the business press on numerous topics.

She is married and the mother of three children, for whom she creates elaborate bedtime stories that sometimes last for over a year. She has already completed her sequel to Dark Hope, which she hopes to publish soon.

Follow Monica McGurk on social media:

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My Thoughts on Dark Hope

In a nutshell, I absolutely loved reading this title and can’t wait to read the next book.

Okay, taking it a little bit further than the fact that I really enjoyed reading this title….

The mixture of romance, ‘growing pains’ (also known as finding yourself), and the fantastical was fabulous.  

You can tell that Ms. McGurk spent time writing Twilight fan fiction and why her work was so well received.

 Hope is one confused soul.

During this book, she begins to learn more about herself and realize that her father might not have been so off-kilter in his desire to protect and prepare her.

She also discovers how love can feel as well as experiencing disgust at how awfully humans can treat each other.

There is a definite religious component, yet it is not anything tied to a particular faith beyond recognizing the existence of God and angels.  

If anything, some of my Christian friends might find it a little disconcerting to have Michael the Archangel portrayed as having the ability to take human form and experience human emotions while retaining his internal ‘core’ of light.  

While I was okay with the fictional portrayal of the strong feelings of love between Hope and Michael, I will admit that my personal faith does not have me finding it very realistic.  

Hence, the genre of fantasy or paranormal fits well for this title.

One thing about this novel that does really set it apart from others I have read is the inclusion of characters who are involved in human trafficking, with a real nod to the problem in the greater Atlanta area.  

Many of us might not like to admit to all the seedy things happening in their own backyard.  

However, Ms. McGurk does a wonderful job integrating the problem within the pages of this novel.  You can tell she’s done her research and that it is an issue for which she possesses much passion.

If you love the paranormal young adult novels, then you will most likely enjoy this title as well.   I’ll admit to not having read any of the Twilight books, yet I did thoroughly enjoy this work of fiction.

 
Do you enjoy young adult fiction?
What are some of your favorite young adult titles?