Book Review: The Space Between by Brenna Yovanoff

The Space Between by Brenna Yovanoff
Release Date: November 15, 2011
Publisher: Razorbill; 363 pages

Everything is made of steel, even the flowers. How can you love anything in a place like this?

Daphne is the half-demon, half-fallen angel daughter of Lucifer and Lilith. Life for her is an endless expanse of time, until her brother Obie is kidnapped - and Daphne realizes she may be partially responsible. Determined to find him, Daphne travels from her home in Pandemonium to the vast streets of Earth, where everything is colder and more terrifying. With the help of the human boy she believes was the last person to see her brother alive, Daphne glimpses into his dreams, discovering clues to Obie's whereabouts. As she delves deeper into her demonic powers, she must navigate the jealousies and alliances of the violent archangels who stand in her way. But she also discovers, unexpectedly, what it means to love and be human in a world where human is the hardest thing to be.

This second novel by rising star Brenna Yovanoff is a story of identity, discovery, and a troubled love between two people struggling to find their place both in our world and theirs.

When I found out that Brenna Yovanoff had a new novel coming out, I knew I had to read this. I absolutely loved THE REPLACEMENT and I loved her writing and I loved the synopsis of THE SPACE BETWEEN. I have a thing for angels and fallen angels, if you didn’t know. Let me tell you, Brenna did not disappoint.

No love triangle. Big bonus in my eyes. As much as love triangles are fun, they're over-used. So it was nice not having to deal with that. Daphne is the daughter of Lucifier and Lilith. I mean, right there, what awesome parents to have, right? Such amazing role models ;) But surprisingly, Daphne is full of all good. She's got a heart and she's capable of love, which she didn't understand what that was until her brother, Obie, told her. Her brother, who is the son of Lilith and Adam. He's half demon but his heart is purely human, like his father. So obviously, these two have a close connection and when he tells her he's leaving to live on earth, permantely because he's in love, and it breaks my heart.

Time is different on earth. In hell, or rather Pandemonium, there is no time. Or rather, time has no meaning. We find this out whe Obie goes to leave. We meet Truman who is part angel and on the brink of death. The demons in Pandemonium want him, are hungry for him but Obie is protective of him as is Daphne, even though she's never met him or any human from the outside before. Truman (though we only know him as mysterious boy at this point) is allowed to return to earth & live and Obie is the one who takes him there. What feels like just a few days we find out Obie has gone missing. When Daphne gets to the above ground, she finds out its been a year since he left. The time is mind-boggling.

The relationship build up between Truman and Daphne was so amazingly paced I applaud the author. It wasn't rushed and it wasn't forced. It seemed real, natural (even considering she's a demon and all...). And I'm not talking a romantic relationship, per say, just their relationship in general. Daphne is just such a sweet, innocent soul and she's related to such horrors such as Myra and Deidre. Even Moloch, her cousin, who I disliked at first. But man, did he really come around.

I was so mad at the end, or towards the end of this book. I seriously had to put the book down and walk away for a few minutes or else the book may have ended up on the other side of the room. If you come across these same emotions please, resist throwing the book...take a deep breath and continue. It's not as bad as you think, I promise.

The story is perfect and filled with many emotions (that the reader feels, as well), the characters are captivating, strong and relateable; the writing is beautiful. Brenna Yovanoff, you are author I will continuing following & continuing reading anything you put out there. If you loved THE REPLACEMENT or love books about angels/fallen angels/demons - make sure to get your hands on a copy of this book. It's fantastic. And then when you're done, make sure to tell all your friends.