Devil's Kiss by Sarwat Chadda

Rating: 3/5



Age R: 12+

Synopsis:
As the youngest and only female member of the Knights Templar, Bilquis SanGreal grew up knowing she wasn't normal. Instead of hanging out at the mall or going on dates, she spends her time training as a soldier in her order's ancient battle against the Unholy.

Billi's cloistered life is blasted apart when her childhood friend, Kay, returns from Jerusalem, gorgeous and with a dangerous chip on his shoulder. He's ready to reclaim his place in Billi's life, but she's met someone new: amber-eyed Michael, who seems to understand her like no one else, effortlessly claiming a stake in her heart.

But the Templars are called to duty before Billi can enjoy the pleasant new twist to her life. One of the order's ancient enemies has resurfaced, searching for a treasure that the Templars have protected for hundreds of years — a cursed mirror powerful enough to kill all of London's firstborn. To save her city from catastrophe, Billi will have to put her heart aside and make sacrifices greater than any of the Templars could have imagined.

Thoughts:
I liked the violent parts in the book (maybe I'm insane) the most. I think the main reasons for that are because they were so descriptive, action packed, and reminded me a bit of one of my favorite movies; Planet Terror (so ridiculous but you can't help but love it). I also liked how it almost seemed as if the evil folks are zombies. I can't help being a zombie lover.
Unfortunately, there was just so much I did not like. Here's a list:

• It seemed as if 95% of the story was rushed and it was really predicable especially that last 1/4 of the book. I easily figured out what would happen in the end, especially that "twist" in the middle. If you're giving me a YA book, it must be challenging not middle grade. If it's middle grade, say so, don't label it something completely different. You'll probably have to lower the gruesome bar there there though.
• The love story could have been so much better. There was potential there but I thought the way things ended were okay. Not too predictable. I knew that would happen, but I didn't mind that part at all. The ending was somewhat unique. I love unique.
• It was too short! All that action packed into those few pages didn't work. It's not only because it was so short though as you can tell from all these bullet points. It's possible the story would be way better if the characters were more developed. They were just kind of there and not that fascinating. I'll unfortunately not be remembering them. It definitely would have helped to make the story more complex.
• I hated (with passion!) the father daughter deal. It was a huge part of the story and this revelation in the end was extremely awful and lame. It felt as if pages were missing. Things are like this, "revelation", then BAM! Not cool at all. That whole deal was just awkward. After I read that "revelation" I thought "What the fruit?! After all that, that's it?!" Not happy about that. The feelings of the characters were not real enough either. THey seemed Disney movie cookie cutter like. You know what I mean. Sometimes they surprised you in their oddness. Not the good kind of oddness either.

I managed not to be able to put the book down at some points and I always like that so the book wasn't completely awful. I still enjoyed reading it. I will recommend picking this book up at a library especially if you are around 12 yrs old.

Anonymous review from bn.com that I pretty much agree with except for the "impossible not to feel for this girl" again the emotions did not seem that real to me:

October 10, 2009: The Devil's Kiss kept my attention throughout. I think this book is well suited for those who like action-filled and suspenseful reads and not so much for those looking for romance or a love story. Billi's life seemed so hopeless. It was impossible not to feel for this girl...she felt so trapped and alone. Strangely enough though, by the middle of the book I didn't feel much for her, or the other characters, anymore. I was just reading the story and felt indifferent. Perhaps, because it became some what predictable or maybe because everyone was so secluded and separate from the rest. I don't think Chadda intended it to be a heart-tugger but just action filled...and he succeeded.

YOU WILL ENJOY READING THIS BOOK IF YOU LIKE/ARE INTERESTED IN:
-Supernatural (TV show)--the main chick is basically a hunter like Sam and Dean
-Disney movies---you know how those go right? If you enjoy them it means you're basically not looking for a mind blowing story (totally excluding Pixar here) which is okay especially if you're in the mood for something short and fun. This book isn't fun like "wee" but fun like "oh wow so much action!"