ARC Review: Lemniscate by Jennifer Murgia

While Angel Star captivated me when I've read it, Lemniscate just left me mesmerized, with mixed emotions even.

I had a feeling this book would be more focused on Hadrian, and I was right.

Title: Lemniscate by Jennifer Murgia
Pages: 252
Release Date: March 21st 2011
Published by: Lands Atlantic Publishing, LLC
Source: Publisher (thanks Lands Atlantic!)
Buy: Amazon | Book Depository

Summary (from Goodreads):

For Teagan, these last few months have been heaven on earth- especially now that Garreth, her boyfriend and guardian angel, is earthbound. But perhaps Garreth is becoming a little more human than either of them expected.
Now, Teagan must realize that her world is once again about to shift, as she questions the faith she held in others against those once considered enemies.
In this continuation of Angel Star, Lemniscate will draw you even deeper into the world of dark and light as Teagan realizes the angel who could possibly save them all is the one angel she feared the most.

Lemniscate took a very interesting turn, something far more better than Angel Star. Plot wise, I think Lemniscate was a step much better than Angel Star. Garreth had become a little more human than he can take, and that just throws Teagan off the usual routine, the calmness that has took over her life for the past few months. Her mom is remarrying, and with it comes a step sister from hell, who tortured her way through Teagan's life since they were little. And all along Garreth wasn't by her side.

I love how everything seems to be unraveling neatly in this book. I've always been a bit thrown off with books wanting to hold out everything and stretching out the plot far more than what was necessary and just dumping everything on the end, confusing the readers, but Lemniscate gradually answers all the questions that popped up with Angel Star. The symbol on Teagan's hand that marked her as someone special was explained thoroughly in a very convincing manner.

The concept of evil that was presented in Lemniscate kept me on my toes and sent shivers down my spine for quite a few times. My mom would tell me that Hell wasn't really another place. That it was here, now, where we all live, on Earth. That thought frightens me the most and Lemniscate just amplified that fear ten fold with the evil that was tackled here. It's not someone, it's not Lucifer, it's what's inside of us, what's in our minds and in our hearts, our fears, our desires. Everyone has darkness inside of them. I think rather than using monsters or fallen angels or even Lucifer himself, the thought of having evil as something that surrounds us constantly is what made it fearful in a very effective way.

As Teagan gains the strength she needed with every obstacle she faces in this book, each harder than the last, Lemniscate also allowed more characters from Angel Star to emerge and take shape. Ryan was a delightful addition to the plot! Teagan might have lost Claire, but she gained a friend through Ryan. Which brings me to what I didn't like in Lemniscate. Garreth.

I was trying hard to be convinced that him being Earthbound, his newfound humanity was what was preventing him to be by Teagan's side, but I don't see it as an enough of an excuse to leave her when she needed him the most. One suspension slip was all it took and everything was spinning out of control. I didn't like that Teagan was desperately finding excuses for his behavior, and it made me a lot more frustrated with his character. I felt like he was purposely left out on the sideline to make way for Hadrian.

Now this side of the story was what I liked the most. I'll admit that I am more biased since I've been rooting for Hadrian even in Angel Star, but I think it's beautiful and wonderful that his character has finally took form in Lemniscate. He's dangerous, powerful, and dark, that much is true, but he was there when Teagan needed someone to be there for her. I think I saw in him what Teagan saw in him as well, that he just needed that someone to show him that underneath all the darkness, there is light, that his soul is still there.

"There is no death for what is not human, but more appropriately, a change."

Hadrian ultimately found a second chance, a reason to change, and that is Teagan. Teagan is the bond that holds all of them, the symbol on her hand signifying unity, uniting the three of them, darkness and light, evil and good, and the one who has the power to give balance to both.

Lemniscate tackles various themes about love, family, death and the loss of a loved one, forgiveness and moving on, letting go, healing and ultimately, redemption. Jennifer Murgia was able to put together all of this difficult topics and themes into a book far more captivating than its predecessor, Angel Star, where readers will all appreciate the darkness and the good inside of everyone.

Will there be a third book? :)

Definitely a recommended read for everyone!

My rating

Content (plot, story flow, character):

.5
Shining: Worthy of a Goddess' Love!

Book Cover:

Such a simple symbol yet so complicated with its meaning.