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EVEN ANGELS FALL
by Sherry A Mauro
PublishAmerica, August 2003
364 pages
$24.95
ISBN: 159129973X


Buy in the UK | Buy in Canada

If you're looking for an intelligent heroine, look elsewhere. This debut novel from Californian author Sherry A. Mauro appears sloppy and tedious at times, but nothing that better editing and a sharper re-write couldn't fix . . . or so we can only hope.

The protagonist is Sabrina Ayres, an only child with a childhood straight out of a V.C. Andrews novel -- the peers that taunt her, as well as a family secret. If she had paid closer attention to the names of Charlotte Devour and Jonathon Tate, she might've stayed away from Richard Tate, but that would've been too intelligent. Sabrina continues the VCA formula by being an outcast, who is also a straight-A student (in the beginning, until "love" comes along) and -- dare I to scoff at this -- "beautiful". Quite frankly, readers deserve a more personable protagonist.

There are also contradictions, such as "though I loved school" on one page, with "though I disliked school" on the very next. Since it's clear that Trisha Ayres's old flame was Alexander Tate, Sabrina should've noted this, as it was obvious. But intelligence is not Sabrina's strong point. Jack Ayres rightfully explains that Richard Tate is bad news, but of course bubble-brained Sabrina chooses not to agree. The bubbles continue as she becomes vainer.

The paranormal aspect begins with Sabrina "seeing a ghostly apparition". This continues to the end of the novel, but is never given a logical, believable explanation as to why, which appears sloppy and thoughtless. Richard Tate's house is blamed for deaths and disappearances. One workman's hand is severed, and another is found facedown in the pool of Richard's house. Richard's half-sister appears suddenly, released from institutionalization, after being born a love child. In another VCA copy-off, Sabrina is placed in a sanatorium, but this is short-lived, being released as the staff had "made a mistake". This really was poor writing by the author, especially considering how Sabrina threatens the staff - which in reality would've confirmed to the staff that she should NOT be let go. And yet another VCA copy-off sees Sabrina dressing up as someone else, with Richard and Trisha Ayres believing that she really is Catherine Tate. The story ends with Sabrina leaving the mansion for the evening.

The comparisons between this and the novels of V.C. Andrews are numerous. Sabrina could be Catherine Dollanganger; Trisha Ayres: Corrine Foxworth; Richard Tate: Tony Tatterton; Madeline Tate: Sylvia Adare. If you're looking for VCA fiction, read VCA novels.

Reviewed by Erin Horgan, December 2003

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Contact: Yvonne Klein (ymk@reviewingtheevidence.com)


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