On the Bright Side by S.R. Johannes

Title: On the Bright Side

Author: S.R. Johannes

Pages: 282

Publisher: Coleman & Stott

Expected Release: January 31, 2012

Summary (Goodreads)

As if the devil’s food cake at her wake and the white fat pants she’s stuck wearing for eternity weren’t bad enough, fourteen year-old Gabby is quick to discover that Cirrus, the main rung of Heaven, is a far cry from the Pearly Gates. Here, SkyFones and InnerNets are all the rage. At her first Bright ceremony, G.O.D., the automated assignment system, spits out Angela Black, Gabby’s arch nemesis and longtime fencing rival. As a Bright, Gabby has to protect Angela, her assigned mortal, in order to move up through the training levels of heaven.

Back on earth, Angela starts hitting on Michael, Gabby’s crush and should-have-been boyfriend. Gabby’s pranks to quell the love are harmless at first until the school dance sabotage gets completely out of control. Then, Celestial Sky Agent, Lawrence, who happens to have anger management issues of his own, steps into reveal that Angela has big problems, and what she really needs is Gabby’s help.

Determined to right her wrong and ease her mother’s grief, Gabby steals an ancient artifact that allows her to return to earth for just one day. But if Gabby’s not careful, her well-meaning mission just might shift the very foundation of Heaven, Earth, and every place in between, causing the danger of the dark side to roam free. 

               Copy provided for review & Blog Tour thanks to S.R. Johannes

Review: 

I really enjoyed reading On the Bright Side because it had a unique twist on the Angel features. Even after Gabrielle has died and went to heaven now its her duty to protect the Mortals from any harm. I loved the concept of the novel and how it developed at a great pace. As I was reading it was was starting to get into the characters personalities and what they really wanted.

I felt really bad for Gabrielle in the beginning due to the loss of never having her first kiss and not telling her best friend Micheal that she really liked him more as a friend. I was hoping they would "stay together" instead of her ex-friend Angela. Angela was one of those characters which you hated at first, because of what she did to Gabby before she died.  But she did eventually grow on you on the end after the events with the evil Malum(devil). Micheal was an adorable character, I see why Gabby liked him because he has a great personality and he liked her for her. I really really wish we see him again if there is a sequel. 

The writing was beautiful, I was in love with S.R. Johannes writing and the skills she has of grabbing your attention with the facts of acronyms for the Angels system of helping them help the world and save the world from evil. The whole story was very well developed. Now I think "heaven" is like that in a way with BITS protecting us from harm.

Overall, it was a very enjoyable read. It had romance and action with the bad guys. I did kinda wish the characters were a bit older.I cant wait until the next one to find out whats next with Gabby and her journey, maybe she will find love, there is potential I think. It was still a great read, and I cant wait to be part of this tour in a week or so, so stay tuned for my interview with S.R. Johannes!! 

ADD TO GOODREADS

4/5