Darkness lies in the most heavenly places.Coy, daughter of an Angel and a Fallen, swore she’d never submit to her darkness. Not like she has a choice. She has a big fat apocalyptic prophecy stamped on her soul. If she fails to keep her death-craving, evil blood in check, she’ll unleash a battle between Heaven and Hell. Alone in her struggle, she prowls the city streets, saving innocents and … innocents and searching for a cure to change her fate.
When she loses control, the Nephilim drag her to their palace. Fearful for her life, Coy agrees to undergo demon-provoking tests to cleanse her blood. Her chances to escape seem slim. Until she meets Killian, who tempts her with his angelic looks and inner darkness. He offers a way out, but she’ll have to embrace the evil inside. Once she invokes the demon, though, she may never return.
* Appropriate for Upper YA audience 16 and up*
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I haven’t read that many books about angels and demons, but I really like what Marino’s done with the subject. I also enjoy her take on the classic fight between good and evil, it’s slightly different from what I’m used to.
I like Coy. She can fight for herself and she stands up for her family and friends. Killian is, of course, a very capable guy, but he doesn’t need to come running to save Coy all the time, or to be some knight in shining armour.
This is an action packed read, and it’s very easy to tell oneself that you’re only gonna read one more chapter… I’m really looking forward to continuing this series, I’m curious about what will happen next!
Off to a great start when the book opens in Boston. It doesn’t disappoint as there is action right away, with more to follow and drama, all sorts of drama, and more action and adventure.
This book is really well written and the masses could actually learn from it. There are detrimental misunderstandings embedded in people’s core beliefs because of, basically labels and the notion that certain groups are predisposed to certain behaviors. So while reading and enjoying all of the action, drama, conflict, etc., I cannot help but admire the undertones of a real message, as the masses tend to hold the actions of one or a few against entire races. Marino has woven quite the world here.
AND THE SCENES!!
There really are some epic scenes here, mainly I’m referring to fight scenes but there were also a couple of dark scenes that I liked for their realness. (This would make an amazing movie or series, with some excellent visual effects.) If you want a book that’s not like anything else, but will get your heart pumping, go for this one. Without being graphic, it’s still got heat and danger and a bit of violence, but also real love (I’m talking friendship and familial love too, not only romantic), as well as the aforementioned action, and adventure. It also tells a tale of self-discovery and it’s all kinds of inspiring.
I recommend this read and will continue to do so, Marino’s ability to paint a vivid, badass scene while telling an equally important and exciting story is rare. I’ll also read everything else she puts out, as between this and my first Marino read, ‘Memory Walker’, I’ve learned I can’t get enough!
4.5 stars.
I received this book as an ARC with the hope of an honest and unbiased review, which I give here of my own volition and in my own words.
When I received this book I had a bit of a false start. This often happens with a new author and a new series because there’s nothing to look back on the enhance familiarity. But I don’t give up after false starts since those are usually on me, not the author. So after some time passed I started it again, put the time in, and boy was I pleasantly surprised! Carly writes with such flare, and such passion that it would be damn near impossible not to like this book!
Her introduction to Coy and Killian, with supporting roles by Demi, Oliver, Mele and the ever present villain Theon, was almost immediately intriguing. First we have two sides to one coin, Coy and Killian. Good and Evil, Evil and Good, both with some, each with a bit more of one than the other, to give us our main characters. They may be young, they may show a bit of immaturity at times, but, after all, they are teenagers so this is to be expected. Carly did it in such a way that I didn’t walk away wishing either of them would stop whining, which often happens in YA books. They both did the appropriate amount of whining for teens that age, but each stepped up when required, which is a necessary quality for a character in a YA book to be likeable. They both showed real depth which I found refreshing.
There. of course, is a prophecy, which while common in these types of books, doesn’t take away from the originality of the story. The prophecy states that a creature like Coy will bring about war between heaven and hell; angels and demons (Fallen); good and evil. But good doesn’t always behave as good should, and evil is equally as unlikely to act as expected. While you have your true bad guys, Theon and Lilith, also opposite sides to one coin, a good many of the “good” and “evil” characters are found to be a little less “good” and a little less “bad” than we would anticipate. This brings anguish on both sides because it makes it hard to know who they can trust.
Carly takes literary license with mythological characters such as Nephilim and (Carly-created) Phiam, Fallen and Angels, and humans, who are always in the mix, and weaves a story around them that throws our beliefs into flux. In the place where the Nephilim live, Haven, resides the offspring of angels and humans, children of the light. In the place where the Phiam live, Terminus, resides the offspring of Fallen and humans, children of the dark. But in between, according to prophecy, there is the Teraphim, the offspring of Angel and Fallen, a forbidden union. The prophecy so far was thought to involve one Teraphim. Coy believes she is that one. And the prophecy will come to pass should she ever kill anyone with a soul, which includes, unfortunately, the Fallen. Coy spends a couple years on the run after leaving the home she grew up in with Jeremiah, a Phiam who took her in and raised her, and Oliver, the son of the Archangel Michael who Jeremiah also took in. While on the run she spends a great deal of time killing what is known as the Flesh-Eaters, human souls that were tortured in hell until they became unrecognizable as ever having been human. These Flesh-Eaters kill indiscriminately to feed. Killing them helps Coy keep her dark side quiet. Knowing that if caught by the Nephilim she will be put to death to prevent the prophecy from bearing fruit, she moves around to stay under the radar. During this time she meets Demitria, a nephilim who also came to earth to get away from Haven and they become fast friends.
Killian, a guy she sees on the bridge into Cambridge, enters her life and causes all kinds of upheaval. I won’t go into why or how because I don’t do spoilers. Suffice it to say they make each other a little crazy, as often happens between teenage boys and girls.
All of the characters, whether good, bad or in between, are well fleshed out. It takes a good writer to be able to make you like the characters regardless of which side of the spectrum they fall on. I’ve found if you can like the depth of a character, and still hate them for being so loathsome, you’ve hit on a well written book. And Carly does that with panache! She surprised me with her ability to write a gripping tale that kept me up until the wee hours of the morning just to finish the story! Why was I surprised? Mostly because I didn’t know her as an author, and this showed far more talent and professionalism than you’d expect from a second-ever book.
But, sorry to say, Carly, now I’m expecting great things from future books so you will need to keep up this level of excellence!
I also want to say I was honored to be able to help her with some editing that authors in the early stages have trouble with because the book becomes so familiar to them that they often skim over errors without realizing it. I’ve seen professional editors do that, so there’s absolutely no shame in it, and I’m pleased as punch to have been able to help! And I want to stipulate that while I was certainly so very happy to help, it in no way obligated me towards a positive review. That came about strictly from her talent in writing a wonderful story that grabbed me and wouldn’t let go. I am anxiously awaiting book 2 in the series! I can’t wait to see what lies ahead for Coy and Killian and their gang!
So Very Very Well Done, Carly Marino! So Very Very Well Done, indeed!
I’m loving this book . It’s filled with action, never boring and keeps the reader glued to it until the very last page. The author shows us twists , turns and even sometimes a surprise thrown in also. The Characters are wonderful, their personalities come thru 100% so you feel that you know them exactly the way they are. This is a MUST READ book, I’m ready for the next book but am wishing it was soon , I’m impatient already
Tarnished Light by Carly Marino is truly amazing. The wealth of world and character building to bring this book to fruition will astound you. The main characters of Coy and Killian being both half demon and half angel leads you to wonder who is good and who is bad as do most of the characters in the story. Is anyone ever truly all evil or all good or are we all a mixture of both. The character development and detail in keeping the twists and turns in this book made it impossible to put down. Truly enjoyed it and cannot wait for the next in the series.
This is a great start to a new series,. The author had my attention from the first page, I didn’t want to put the book down. The characters are complex, and interesting. There is something for everyone on this book. I’m curious to see where the author goes with this series.
An exciting new paranormal fantasy that sucked me in from the beginning! I loved how unique the story was. It wasn’t your typical angels and demons story but a story of Fallen, nephilum and more with darkness and light not quite what it seems and the battle begins within each of us. I definitely can’t wait to see what happens next and I certainly can’t wait to read more of Killian!
I absolutely enjoyed reading this story! It’s so good that I couldn’t stop reading until the end! The main character Coy, is so kickass and has such a strong personality which I find to be awesome. And Killian is sooo EVERYTHING… I’m pretty sure I have a crush on him haha. I love good versus evil and in between. This story has angels and fallen angels and Nephilims. Which I have read about before in other books but it also introduces other types such as Teraphims and Phiams, which is totally new and so interesting! I highly recommend this as a must read! I can’t wait to find out what happen next in this series! It’s sooo good!
Action-packed story that keeps you turning pages until the very end. Leaves you wanting more of the sass, wit and attitude of Coy, and the sexy mystery of Killian. Dynamite characters that feed off of each other while exploring a complex world with high stakes.
Tarnished Light starts right out of the gate with action and does not stop.
The world building is my favorite part of this book. Its complicated and interesting. I want to know a lot more about this world and Coy and Killian and what draws them together, but also what drives their own natures – the good and the bad. I’m really looking forward to book 2.
I like Carly Marino’s writing style. I think her plots have a unique and original quality. I found that to be true with Memory Walker as well. Yet, I have to say, I think this series may end up being my favorite so far. We’ll see …
Totally in love with this book!!!… this is the first Carly’s book I have ever read and I fell within the first chapters… I love Angels/Demons books, but this one is different, the story line, the characters, the world building, Coy and Killian as MC are just wonderful… of course I love FMC strong and bad-ass and Coy doesn’t disappoint… and Killian, OMG, so hot… the twists and turns will keep you turning the pages, eager to find out what will happen next and you won’t have enough… OMG I need book 2 right now!!!… A MUST READ!!!
I have completely fallen in love with Tarnished Light! I’m a sucker for angel stories, and this one was so good. Carly Marino did such an amazing job creating a unique and exciting new take on this topic. Coy and Killian were absolutely wonderful characters and it was easy to create a connection with them as a reader. I can’t wait for the next book!
*I received an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review.
Nephilim, Phiam, Angels, Demons & Something Entirely New!!
(Read using Kindle Unlimited)
This was certainly an interesting take on the usual world of Good versus Evil in the form of half Angel & Demon children!! Nothing is necessarily as it seems though, or is it?
The main character of Coy, Half Angel & Half Demon, is a badass. She’s determined to fight her internal darkness with the help of her Step Dad whilst growing up. He’s a Phiam – Half Demon, Half Human & her Nephilim – Half Angel & Half Human, bestfriend Demetria once she runs from home! Oliver & the dark, sexy & mysterious Killian round out the main characters.
Half Angel & Half Demon children are forbidden. There is a prophecy regarding it & it’s not good!! So the Phiam & Fallen want her & the Nephilim fear her & want her neutralized!! Coy just wants to be able to earn her way into Heaven if at all possible, after all it isn’t her fault she was born this way!!
This is definitely a worthwhile read. I look forward to book #2. I’m hoping it doesn’t get bogged down by Lillith too much
Debbie, 1970, UK