Praefatio (Praefatio #1)

Praefatio (Praefatio #1)
Publisher Name
Month9bks, LLC
Age Range
12+
Release Date
May 21, 2013
ISBN13
B00CKD9966
ISBN10 or ASIN
      

The story of 17-year-old Grace Ann Miller is that of no ordinary runaway. Touching upon topics such as mental illness, teen pregnancy, and the relationship between victims and abductors, this is Grace's account of weeks on the run, falling in love, and losing everything but her faith. After being missing for weeks, Grace turns up on the estate of international rock star Gavin Vault, half-dressed and yelling for help. Over the course of 24 hours, she holds an entire police force captive with incredulous tales of angels, demons, and war, intent on saving Gavin from lockup and her family from worry over her safety. Instead, authorities believe that Grace is ill, the victim of assault and suffering from a severely fractured mind as a result of Stockholm Syndrome. Undeterred, Grace reveals the secret existence of dark angels on Earth, an ancient prophecy, and a wretched curse steeped in biblical myth. Her claims set into motion an ages-old war, pitting sister against brother and light versus darkness, resulting in blood, death, and the loss of everything that matters. Faced with corrupt police officers, eager doctors, and accusing journalists, Grace must convince all of them that her delusions are actually the truth, with nothing but her word as proof.

The story of 17-year-old Grace Ann Miller is that of no ordinary runaway. Touching upon topics such as mental illness, teen pregnancy, and the relationship between victims and abductors, this is Grace's account of weeks on the run, falling in love, and losing everything but her faith. After being missing for weeks, Grace turns up on the estate of international rock star Gavin Vault, half-dressed and yelling for help. Over the course of 24 hours, she holds an entire police force captive with incredulous tales of angels, demons, and war, intent on saving Gavin from lockup and her family from worry over her safety. Instead, authorities believe that Grace is ill, the victim of assault and suffering from a severely fractured mind as a result of Stockholm Syndrome. Undeterred, Grace reveals the secret existence of dark angels on Earth, an ancient prophecy, and a wretched curse steeped in biblical myth. Her claims set into motion an ages-old war, pitting sister against brother and light versus darkness, resulting in blood, death, and the loss of everything that matters. Faced with corrupt police officers, eager doctors, and accusing journalists, Grace must convince all of them that her delusions are actually the truth, with nothing but her word as proof.

Editor reviews

2 reviews
Is it Real or Not?
(Updated: May 22, 2013)
Overall rating
 
4.0
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Seventeen-year-old Grace Ann Miller turns up after being missing. Authorities think she’s delusional as she tells them stories filled with Fallen, Archangels(oh, yeah, she’s one), prophecies, and even Lucifer. Yeah, they think she’s lost it and Grace finds herself institutionalized.

She’s not sure what’s real or not. During her time away, literally a whole new world opened up to her. She finds out she plays a pivotal role in a final battle here on Earth. Problem is will she accept the truth or run from it?

PRAEFATIO is one wild ride where Fallen angels, Archangels, and mythology collide. The first chapter hooked me right in. The author does a great job of showing the confusion that Grace feels in the hospital room. I wanted to read more to see where this story would take me.

The one thing I loved about this story had to be Grace. She’s sassy, spunky, and courageous when she finds out who she really is. There’s some great one-liners too that add humor. Grace is my kind of girl!

After a painful metamorphosis she’s reunited with Gavin, her love. In our world he’s a rock star but he’s a Fallen angel. Grace is an archangel—her mother was a seraph and her father a human. Grace and Gavin's love story has a Romeo and Juliet feel. It’s literally the kiss of death if a mortal has a child with the Fallen. Still she can’t deny the pull Gavin has on her.

I really loved her brother Remi too. His own story and his attraction to a human has it’s own tragic undertones.

There’s lots of wowza moments in this story which include a visit to see Lucifer. **He's nothing like I pictured! His home is a topsy turvy version of the Garden of Eden. Vivid images stayed with me. Even here Grace doesn’t back down. Got to love that!

There is action, suspense, and romance throughout. What I did have problems with was all the explanations at the beginning of the story. I felt that this slowed down the pace of an otherwise intriguing story. Later though I was hooked right in.

Can’t wait to see what’s in store for Grace. The cliffhanging ending hints at a sequel. Somehow I doubt Grace can be stilled for too long!
Good Points
1. Loved Grace! She's sassy, spunky, and courageous!
2. Intriguing plot
3. Some wowza moments that include a visit to see Lucifer
4. Nails the whole 'what's real and what isn't'
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User reviews

1 review
Overall rating
 
4.3
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4.0(1)
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5.0(1)
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4.0(1)
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A Twist on What You Thought About Angels
Overall rating
 
4.3
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Intriguing view of angels, their purpose and interaction with the human race, twisted around a young girl, her brother, and an ancient text older than the Bible.

Clever yet subtle details slowly weave this tale into an inevitable and delectable whirlwind. From the interesting relationship Grace appears to have with her mother to the closeness she shares with her brother, Praefatio lays a strong foundation for the story yet to come. McBride uses poetic prose to tease the reader, as well as creating a unique teen voice to communicate it. Granted, there was plenty of snark in that young adult voice, but it was genuine and heartfelt.

Fast action, both physically and mentally, keep this story moving ahead, engaging the reader to form desirable questions of what could happen next. There was almost an adventurous feel to the dangers Grace faced, all of which were creative and plausible. I found the Biblical references accurate and the use of creative license was effective to create wonder and awe. The creation of different celestial beings were integrated into the story well, with each having his/her own purpose.

Grace must undergo many changes in a short period of time, much like the young adult life. So there was lots of humanity and realism throughout the paranormal elements of this book. She had ample opportunities to ponder the danger of who and what she really was, as well as the harm that could come to those closest to her, depending on her actions and reactions. I'm a huge fan of incorporating life lessons into teen literature, and this book definitely fits that bill.

But soon, Grace's perception of her world (both tangible and intangible) changes, and when a serious complication arises for her brother, Remi, Grace must yet again find more answers in who and what she really is, and the probability of what that could mean. Intense battling in her new Heavenly existence complicates an already volital scene, and Grace must decide what is real and trustworthy.

A surprise awaits the reader at novel's end, as McBride tied the conclusion to the opening of the story, revealing just enough to feed the reader a hunger for more.
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