Malakh [Kindle Edition]

Sharon Gerlach (Author)

Book Description

HE HUNTS, SILENT AND UNSEEN. HIS NEXT VICTIM HAS BEEN CHOSEN. AND PREY BECOMES PREDATOR.
Suzanne Harper had wielded supernatural abilities and super-athletic prowess, but that was while she was the lover of an angel. When a string of gruesome murders points to her former lover, Suzanne teams up with Icarus, an angel who hunts those of his kind who have fallen, because the choice of victims tells a terrifying tale: the next murder will be hers.

Product Details

• File Size: 398 KB
• Print Length: 109 pages
• Page Numbers Source ISBN: 0983291233
• Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
• Publisher: Running Ink Press, LLC (April 8, 2011)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B004VXK0NO
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• X-Ray: Not Enabled
• Lending: Enabled
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #7,538 Free in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Free in Kindle Store)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Masterfully Written, Loved the Twist! April 24, 2011

By Jess

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

I normally only read and review romances, but this is not a traditional "romance" at all. While there was absolutely no sexuality (darn it), I didn't really mind too much because the general storyline was so interesting. Even so, there is a sort of HEA, even if it's not exactly the one I would've preferred.

What worked for me:

* Loved the way that Suzanne came up with Icarus' name.
* I really enjoyed the fact that Russ' eyes changed colors. I could totally picture it, and that along with his general physical description made me want to swoon.
* I am completely fangirling over the idea that Suzanne had enjoyed supernatural abilities and supah physical skill back when she'd been with her angel lover, but then lost those abilities when he left her. Can you imagine being incredibly strong and fast, having incredible stamina, being able to influence others with your thoughts (and perhaps most importantly, being able to eat whatever you wanted to without gaining weight!) in addition to having an incredibly sexy and skilled lover, and then suddenly not only have you lost your beloved, but you're back to being a "normal", weak human again? Talk about devastation! *scoffs* And Russ wants to rag on her about the fact she's still pining for her former lover. C'mon, wouldn't you?
* She twists! She turns! Like a... twisty.. turny.. thing.. The twist at the end absolutely made this story for me.

What didn't work for me:

* Good Lord these people walked everywhere! While it served the purpose of illustrating that Suzanne was drawing strength and endurance from Icarus, all I could think was that they really needed to just catch a cab or something. Suzanne even mentioned the same thing about 44% in, and there was a reasonable explanation, but even so. Sheesh.
* The whole "marking" thing was never really explained to my satisfaction.

I'm so torn on the ending. See, there was this incredible twist at the end. I'm talking a forehead-slapping, I-really-shoulda-seen-this-coming-but-didn't-holy-crap-that's-awesome twist. And yet... Unfortunately, the part that bothers me is an enormous spoiler, so I can't really say much of anything about it without ruining the entire story. Therefore, I think I'll have to go with "I felt misled in the end, and not because I hadn't figured out the twist". I know that sounds incredibly vague and mysterious, and probably makes it seem like a much larger deal than it is, but I promise, it wasn't enough to ruin my enjoyment of the story.

Overall, a very enjoyable novella. While I wish a few things had been explained a little better, and that perhaps there'd been more worldbuilding, I still loved it. Even as a novella, it was really the perfect length where the action and story arc was concerned, so unlike most novellas I wasn't left at the last page asking "that's it??", which was a nice change.

I have to say though, that despite the lack of sensuality and the fact I'm still disgruntled over the ending, that Ms. Gerlach is a masterful storyteller. The plot twist was so beautifully done that nothing became glaringly obvious until you reflected on everything after the twist had been revealed, and for that alone, I will give this one 5/5 Stars.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars From Real-World Limitations to Other-World Possibilities April 11, 2011

By mrs hobbit

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

Malakh sets its reader in the middle of a murder mystery; it grabs you from the beginning and doesn't let you rest until the very last word. Suzanne questions whether she is betraying her former lover, even though justice seems to offer her no other course. The reader walks with her on a journey of emotion and redemption that defies the natural bonds of time and flesh. As it carries you through real-world limitations, Malakh will open your eyes to other-world possibilities.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Very good! April 16, 2011

By Lauralynn Elliott

Format:Kindle Edition

I really loved this novella. For the first half of the book, I thought I was going to give it four stars (which is still really good!) but by the time I was into the second half, it was definitely a five star book. Usually with stories about angels, it's kind of hit and miss for me. This novella was a hit. It was creative, well written, and well edited. The author did a great job entertaining me!

More About the Author

Sharon Gerlach was in training to be a ninja, but a dismaying lack of physical grace and balance--not to mention the inability to keep her big mouth shut--ended her ninja career before it had really begun. Now she writes. She doesn't write about ninjas because that's obviously a sore subject. But she writes about other really cool things and figures someone else will cover the ninjas. Life's really not all about ninjas, anyway.

Sharon lives on the dry side of the Pacific Northwest with her husband (who must really be fond of her as he hasn't left her yet despite her ninja failings); two of her three kids and a grandchild (none of whom possess ninja qualities either); and a Border collie who suffers the presence of seven cats. Yes, you guessed it--ninja cats!