Guillaume: For five hundred years I've existed as a
gargoyle. Perched atop an old Montreal church, I've watched idly as humanity
wanders by. With the witch Marguerite gone, there is no one left to protect,
nothing to care about. I never planned to feel again. But then a girl released
me from my stone restraints, allowing me to return as a seventeen-year-old
human boy. I must find out all I can about this girl's power . . .
Aude: Getting attacked twice in as many days is strange in
itself, but even stranger is the intriguing guy I keep running into. There's
something so familiar about him, like a primal drum rhythm from my dreams. But
spending time together only raises more questions--about my heritage, a native
Mohawk prophecy . . . and an unearthly magic threatening our city..
Redemption’s premise about gargoyles and native culture and
legend captured my attention. It’s an irresistible mix that Launier paced with
a steady mix of mystery and tension.
It’s from Guillaume’s point of view that we first meet Aude
as she’s being attacked by complete strangers. Guillaume perched high above the
cathedral witnesses this horror but also something stranger. Somehow this girl
is able to ward off her attackers and in the process releases him and his brothers from their
gargoyle form. Aude’s power is of great
concern to them because if she is who they thinks she is, then she is the key
to their survival.
Aude would rather just pretend that it all never happened. She throws all her focus and energy into her
band Lucid Pill. Guillaume is never far behind though as he befriends her and
learns more about her. It’s just Aude and her mother; her father is a
non-factor. But her ancestry is what intrigues Guillaume and his brothers. When they learn that she is
descended from a powerful line of witches whom Guillaume and his brothers have
sworn to protect, Aude’s world gets more complicated. Everything that was “normal” begins to
change. Aude can’t pretend she’s a regular kid anymore. Now she must learn how to
harness her power and most importantly learn who she can trust.
I’ll admit, it took me a while to get into Redemption but that's because I was
going through an annoying reading funk. While I liked the idea, I was feeling rather impatient
for the story to move forward. So I decided to leave the book for a week and when I picked it up
again, I did so with renewed enthusiasm. I began to appreciate how all the pieces were
coming together and I felt chills when Aude and Guillaume discovered her
heritage.
Launier telling the story from both perspectives helps to
understand the confusion and apprehension that both of them feel throughout the
book. Aude is so used to being
independent and being strong for her mother. Her single-mindedness about her band si what fuels her sense of purpose. So when Guillaume comes along, she’s
hesitant about trusting him and leaning on him for support. Guillaume
for his part has a past that’s weighed down by guilt and loss. In light of their discovery about her family, his problem becomes discerning
if his attachment to Aude is love or obligation. Regardless, watching these two together is half the thrill in reading
Redemption.
I think with its different locale and reference
to the Iroquois culture and its Seventh Generation prophecy, Redemption adds a new flavor
to the paranormal genre. It’s definitely worth the read. And after Aude and
Guillaume have overcome their first hurdle, it's only a matter of time before things escalate. I’m looking forward to what’s next
for this new life Aude has entered in to.
~ Bel
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