Dark Rising: Book Two of The Archangel Prophecies

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When it comes to books, I enjoy quite a variety of genres. I’ll admit, though, that I tend to read more books geared towards young adults than those on the adult shelves. For whatever reason, the writing just seems more appealing and the story lines are usually good. Last year, I was able to share about a new author’s book with you, Dark Hope, the first book in the Archangel Prophecies Triology.  I was surprised and pleased when the author, Monica McGurk, sent me a copy of the second book in the trilogy, Dark Rising: Book Two of the Archangel Prophecies , to read and possibly review.  I loved it, so here I am sharing about it!

Dark Rising ~ The Story Summarized

Can One Person Upend a Prophecy as Old as Time?

Hope Carmichael is on the run. The only question is, from whom?

The mark on her neck has branded her as part of an ancient prophecy, the Bearer of the Key. But the Fallen Angels have misunderstood and think Hope is their long-awaited way to regain Heaven by force. Now Hope is chasing down the artifact that could open Heaven’s Gates, while seeking to destroy it before the Fallen catch up with her.

Will the Triad crime ring track Hope and exact their punishment before she gets the chance? Is the ragtag band of angels surrounding her now there to protect her, or imprison her? And will Michael, the Archangel sworn to defend Heaven at all costs, be forced to deny his love for Hope and take her life, instead, so that the artifact won’t fall into enemy hands?

The epic narrative introduced in DARK HOPE continues in DARK RISING as Hope crisscrosses some of the most ancient sites in Europe and plumbs the depths of history in search of the truth about the Key, herself, and love. Exploring themes of identity, fate, jealousy, trust, and forgiveness, DARK RISING’s mythological scope and moral urgency deepen as we come to understand the choices and consequences faced by a young woman determined to follow her heart and chart her own destiny.

Dark Rising ~ About Monica McGurk, the author

Before the publication of Dark Hope and Dark Rising, Monica McGurk worked as a senior partner at a consulting firm and dabbled in fan fiction. She wrote under the pen name, Consultant by Day, with her works based upon Stephenie Meyer’s Twilight Series. 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.

She is married and the mother of three children, for whom she creates elaborate bedtime stories that sometimes last for over a year. And, she remains a full-time business executive based in Atlanta.

Follow Monica McGurk on social media:

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Dark Rising ~ My Thoughts on this Young Adult Novel

From when I opened the pages of this title, it did not take long for me to not only remember the characters and plot line from Dark Hope, but also be drawn into the story laid before you in Dark Rising.

No time has really passed from the end of Dark Hope to the beginning of Dark Rising. Hope Carmichael is still trying to wrap her brain around all she has learned.  And, she is growing from a teen to young woman in leaps and bounds due to the intensity of her current life.  She goes on a whirlwind trip with Michael, Enoch and Raph to different locations including Istanbul, Skellig Michael off the coast of Ireland, and Le Puy-en-Velay in France. She’ll learn more about the Archangel Michael and what a special place he holds in the hearts of many people as seen in the numerous chapels dedicated to him.  Hope also learns that those you trust might ultimately be the ones to betray you as they are not who you thought they were.

I will admit that I became enchanted with many of the locations used by Ms. McGurk in this novel.  Istanbul is so foreign, so exotic sounding to a fully entrenched American gal like me (who’s only trip off of the North American Continent was to the U.S. Virgin Islands years ago) and the prose really paints a fantastic picture of it. This depth of writing for the setting was achieved because of her deep research of the area and its history as well as a trip to walk the path Hope and the others would be walking.

The human trafficking component of the story which was interwoven into Dark Hope continues in Dark Rising. This time, though, there is also a link between the novel and the refugee crisis which we continue to see on the news as people seek a safe place to live.  Both human trafficking and the rise in refugees are humanitarian crises that deserve to have a spotlight shown onto them. Ms. McGurk has been able to weave these issues into her novels in such a way that they fit the storyline and call attention to situations some of us might not be as cognizant of.

The final installment, Dark Before Dawn, is expected in 2016 and I know I will be eagerly awaiting its publication. I NEED to see how this story ends!

What are some of your favorite books?

Do you ever read young adult novels even though you are no longer a teen or young adult?

 

 

photo credit: Skellig Michael (Sceilg Mhichíl) via photopin (license)

photo credit: Mont Saint-Michel Castle – HDR via photopin (license)

photo credit: Santa Sofía via photopin (license)