Review: Devil's Kiss

Devil's Kiss by Sarwat Chadda
Published on May 27, 2009
Published by Puffin

From Goodreads:

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.

My thoughts:

Have you ever seen Harry Potter Puppet Pals video "Wizard Angst"? If you haven't you can check it out here: Wizard Angst. When I finished Devil's Kiss it was the first thing that came to me, Harry smacking his head going "Angst, angst, angst." I'm surprised Billi SanGrael, the book's main character, didn't do the same.

There were many parts of the this book I loved, like the fact it's about the Knights Templar and how the first paragraph is so surprising I don't think I could have put the book down if I had wanted to. Billi is definitely a kick-ass character and her days of battle, sword lessons and demon killing were pretty awesome.

BUT OMG THE ANGST. It fills the entire novel and effects every decision that Billi makes. Hell, it made me hate the world at times. I wanted to adore this novel, in its crazy modern/historical fiction/religious-ishness. But I just couldn't get over Billi's attitude. 

While I didn't adore Devil's Kiss, I still really enjoyed it. Billi proves to be a different kind of heroine and I liked the unique view on the Knights Templar. And the second book, Dark Goddess, really shows how Chadda's writing and how Billi have developed. Read Devil's Kiss to catch up and then enjoy Dark Goddess.

Rating: 3 Stars