Review ~ Uprising ~ Dawn Jayne #2015HW

Uprising by Dawn Jayne
Fires of Providence #1
Release Date: November 28, 2012
Genre: Adult, Paranormal, Urban Fantasy, Romance
Source: Purchased paperback
Rating: 4 Bookworms
Challenges: #2015HW, #ShelfLove 2015
Goodreads

Synopsis
Heralds are the most powerful of all angels, secretive and feared, created for a single purpose. Only those most courageous and worthy earn a place within the elite choir, and only by breaking ancient oaths held sacred can the honor be stripped. It's a punishment that hasn't been imposed in over two-thousand years, until a single reckless act sets off a firestorm, threatening to consume all creation.

Rise Hawke never suspected she'd been marked to play a role in the deadly events unfolding in the spiritual realm. Independent and resistant to authority, she isn't thrilled when she meets Dominik, an angel with new wings, an old grudge, and a mysterious agenda he's determined to impose.

Vowing to uncover the secrets kept from her, Rise soon learns that knowing what you are isn't nearly as dangerous as discovering why. Hunted by those who want to destroy her, and controlled by those who would see her fulfill her purpose, she is forced into a brutal battle set in motion long before she was ever born. It soon becomes clear that what one angel will risk to earn the title of Herald, is matched only by what another will do to keep it.

Uprising was a unique and complex approach to an angel story. It's unlike anything I've read before and although it had moments where I bogged down in detail, I was fascinated.

Ms. Jayne wove together an interesting world of angels, humans, minions, and lost souls, living among the spiritual and human realms. There are different choirs of angels, each with different 'jobs'. All but the Heralds are former humans who've earned their wings through growth and enlightenment. And each choir, each angel, is tasked with helping humans - souls - along their path. The Heralds are born angels and have powers no other angels have. I liked the laws and structures that govern the angels, minions, and lost souls. And I liked Ms. Jayne's use of the yin/yang to explain the spiritual realm. I also enjoyed Ms. Jayne's 'divine design' and the interplay between Lucifer, or the Light Bringer, and The Scriptures. They seem to have the grand plan and are doing their best to execute it.

Rise is a young woman who was raised in a fanatical home. She carries scars, both inside and outside, from her upbringing that are badges of all she endured. At 18, and no longer at home, she's finding out that she doesn't know herself all that well. Rise is different - not able to form true attachments, doesn't feel empathy - but there are reasons for this which are becoming clear.

Dominik is a Blue Angel and has been assigned as Rise's advisor. There are curious circumstances behind his assignment - mostly due to his tie to Tyre, a Herald who was stripped of his wings. Dominik is very loyal and steadfast in his cause. There were times I felt he was being stubborn on things only to find out he was bound by his oath or by laws.

Even though Tyre is present only for a short time, he left a lasting impact on the characters in the story. It was very apropos that Ms. Jayne titled a chapter Revelations as I had one epiphany after another while reading it. And I was impressed with her for keeping me in the dark for so long.

I'm very curious as to what comes next for this group. I'm left wondering what the end game is here and why. And although I'm eager to see Rise be more of her badass self, I'm also eager for more backstory on the relationship between Dominik and Tyre.

The slow moments, I believe, came from the detail dump, which was necessary since this was a first installment. I typically like a lot of detail but in this case, I felt it slowed the pace. Interesting world building and even more interesting characters made for a good read. I still don't know where the story is headed as the plot is unclear, but I'm keen to find out.