Dark and Twisty in a Fabulous Way!

Ever since reading Devil's Kiss by Sarwat Chadda last winter, I have been hoping there was a second book. Devil's Kiss was a dark, twisted story about a young woman who wants to live a normal life, but whose father is the leader of the Knights Templar. He raises her and trains her as a Templar, which often means the greatest sacrifices in order to protect the people of the world from ghuls: werewolves, fallen angels, vampires, you name it. Dark Goddess picks the story up where Devil's Kiss left off- Billi SanGreal's life as the only female Templar.

After losing her best friend Kay, both to the world of the ghuls and then to the blade of her own sword, Billi has hardened. She understands the nature of her duty and life, and she plans on cutting off her emotions in order to serve the greater good. Unfortunately, her plan doesn't last long after they save a young girl named Vasilisa from the same werewolves who tore her family apart. They suspect Vasilisa is a Spring Child, an oracle, but they don't realize just how powerful she is at first. In fact, until she stops Vesuvius erupts. Vasilisa is somehow connected to the eruption and is running a fever that mirrors the volcano. When Billi puts her in the snow to cool her off, the eruption ends, but not before Naples is completely destroyed. It then becomes very clear to the Templars that Vasilisa is a very special Spring Child- she is an Avatar. Avatars are extremely powerful oracles who can actually affect the earth.

While the Templar is prepared to raise and train Vasilisa as one of their own, a very specific sect of werewolves called the Polenitsy, has a very different idea. The Polenisty is a group of female werewolves who live and serve the great God Baba Yaga (who has gone by other names, such as Gaia, but is essentially Mother Russia). Baba Yaga is an ancient witch who survives by consuming (literally) Spring Children. A Spring Child as powerful as Vasilisa will give her enough power to bring about fimbulwinter- an apocalyptic winter that will essentially rid the earth of the human plague. As a goddess/witch of the earth, Baba Yaga can no longer stand the humans and what they have done to her earth, and she will do anything to get rid of them.

When the Polenitsy kidnap Vasilisa from Billi's care, the Templar's have three days before the full moon to get her back. If they don't, Vasilisa will be eaten by Baba Yaga and human life will effectively end. The Templar's split up in order to cover more turf. Billi and a few others seek out the Bogatyrs, an ancient Russian group who rid the world of ghuls the same way the Templars do- or at least they used to. Descended from the Romanovs, the group is ruthless, but their new interim leader since the "Tsar" was killed by a Polenitsy is more ruthless than even the Bogatyrs are famous for. Tsarevich Ivan is the prince, but cannot take over the Bogatyrs until his 18th birthday. Now they must work together with the Templars to save Vasilisa. Unfortunately, Billi is quickly faced with the same situation she endured with Kay- Vasilisa may have to be killed in order to prevent Fimbulwinter and save the world. Can Billi sacrifice the young child in order the protect the many? Will she be able to stop Baba Yaga and the werewolves?

This is a fantastic follow up to the first dark installment. Chadda is a brilliant author who isn't afraid to broach truly dark and disturbing topics in the YA genre. While the stories are clean and appropriate for a younger demographic, they don't hold back when asking the really tough questions. Chadda's main character Billi is fantastic. Still damaged from the loss of her best friend Kay, she is struggling to hold herself together. By throwing herself into her Templar work, she thinks she can escape her grief and protect herself from more loss, but she couldn't be more wrong. Instead, she is essentially slapped in the face with it time and time again.

This book is probably better for an older student- mature middle school through high school- because there is some dark subject matter. The language is average, but the names- especially the Russian names- are tough. This is a solid follow-up to a wonderful break-out novel. Chadda has outdone himself with Dark Goddess, and I hope he will continue Billi SanGreal's story with the Templars!

Knights Templar in a whole new Light!

"Killing him should be easy; He's only six." An opening line like that is all this book needed to grab me! As I was reading it, I was just praying it would become a series! I don't know much about the Knights Templar beyond what Dan Brown wrote about, but I have always been intrigued by their history, and in particular, their mysterious nature throughout history. When I picked up Devil's Kiss, by Sarwat Chadda, I wasn't prepared for such an interesting book and description of the Knights Templar!

Billi's Father is the master of the Knights Templar, while her mother, a Pakistani Muslim, was killed by one the very monsters Billi, her father, and the other Knights fight against each and every day. Billi is being trained as a Templar, much to the irritation of the older, more cantankerous of the Order. Despite the training, all Billi really cares about is having a normal life. She wants to be able to do her homework at night without having to assist in slayings and Ghul, Were, or Grigori attacks. She wants to meet boys and have a real relationship. Most of all, she wants her friend, Kay, another Templar in training, to return from Jerusalem where he is learning to hone his psychic abilities.

When Kay returns, though, his powers get him in trouble. He underestimates his abilities and almost allows a group of angry fallen angels (Grigori) escape hell. They were able to close the portal, but not before the Grigori are able to call for their one free brother- The Angel of Death. The Knights are preparing for a fight, but Billi just wants to spend time with the mysterious new guy she just met- Michael. What Billi doesn't know is that her unconventional and sometimes terrifying life is about to get a whole lot scarier.

Packed with history and mystical fiction, this book is really a page-turner. I read it in one sitting and was sad to see it end. The characters are deep and complex while the story is tinted with dark creatures, religion, and a modern girl who just wants to listen to her iPod and enjoy being a teenager. I love how Chadda is able to combine an ancient mysterious order with the life of an average present-day teenager. This is a great book for both guys and girls, with enough action to keep anyone interested. It isn't too gory, but there are some harsh parts with the creepy Ghuls. If you have a student who is a little bit darker than Harry Potter or Twilight, but still likes the magical, mystical type of book, this one is sure to be a screaming success! Now I am just going to keep my fingers crossed that Chadda decides to continue Billi's story!