World After by Susan Ee

In this sequel to the bestselling fantasy thriller, Angelfall, the survivors of the angel apocalypse begin to scrape back together what’s left of the modern world.

When a group of people capture Penryn’s sister Paige, thinking she’s a monster, the situation ends in a massacre. Paige disappears. Humans are terrified. Mom is heartbroken.

Penryn drives through the streets of San Francisco looking for Paige. Why are the streets so empty? Where is everybody? Her search leads her into the heart of the angels’ secret plans where she catches a glimpse of their motivations, and learns the horrifying extent to which the angels are willing to go.

Meanwhile, Raffe hunts for his wings. Without them, he can’t rejoin the angels, can’t take his rightful place as one of their leaders. When faced with recapturing his wings or helping Penryn survive, which will he choose? – Goodreads

Why do I do this to myself every. Single. Time? I find an (unfinished) series I fall in love, hustle-read because I want more, more, more, only to find myself on the last page of the last book, hurriedly Googling when the next installment will be released.

Well, folks, the next installment doesn’t come out until May. It’s devastating.

I reviewed Angelfall yesterday. World After is book two in the Penryn and the End of Days series by Susan Ee. You know what Ee is good at? Getting you all excited and then smacking you in the face with a cliffhanger, that’s what.

I found book two just as exciting as book one. It had action, intrigue, mystery, politics, violence, gore, and just a smidge more romance. Which was awesome. I really do enjoy some romance in my YA, as long as it’s the kind that develops over time. This totally fit the bill, but I won’t ruin it for you.

I also appreciated getting to know the characters more in book two. I really love Penryn—she’s a strong, kick-ass (literally…or kick-groin/face/nose? Idk) female who can fend for herself. She doesn’t some archangel in bat wings to come and save her—though it’s nice once in a while when angels all around are doing things like sticking their hands in human abdomens and ripping out entrails. No joke, folks. They don’t mess around and this book is definitely not for the weak-stomached or faint of heart or children under 14.

I also loved getting to know Raffe better, even if it was only through his sword’s memories. He’s very complex but definitely hidden. Also, how old is this guy, anyway? Normally in these type of books they make a huuuuge deal about being old (like, centuries old) and then making a big deal about how these human girls are 17 or 18, practically pre-baby-in-the-womb (Zygote? Sperm? Egg? Not even a thought in their parent’s mind?) in comparison. Which, by the way, is that statutory? What’s the deal there? I digress.

In other news, it’s totally ruining the possibility of starting another book for me. Nothing is as exciting, dark, or gruesome, thus they do not compare. I’m definitely in a book hangover.

Fabulous sequel, fabulous series. Even if you’re not a fan of paranormal YA, I recommend giving this a shot. I rated it 5/5 on Goodreads.