Published: May 2016
Pages: 240
Synopsis: “Jasper Andrews is in over her head. God and the Devil have disappeared from Earth, leaving humanity without hope. Il Separatio, the Entity of Neutrality, tries to restore peace through the intervention of its children, the Order of Vespers. They are tasked with maintaining the balance between light and dark, ensuring that no faction becomes too powerful. They think Jasper is the key to harnessing the power of Il Separatio, protecting the Vespers and maintaining the balance. ---- Eighteen-year-old Jasper Andrews finds herself drawn into this superhuman world when a freak explosion exposes her to groups interested in secret abilities. When her family is killed under unbelievable circumstances, Jasper is the only suspect. She flees police custody and heads to New York City to lose herself in the crowds. Jasper wants revenge, but being chased by the police and superhuman bad guys, slows her down. While she’s in hiding Jasper becomes more volatile; she begins manifesting traces of her siblings’ abilities and begins to lose control. The Order of Vespers has decided she’s too dangerous and too important to leave unguarded and capture her. Before she can escape, the killers strike again, this time taking children directly connected to the Order. Jasper is forced to choose between her vendetta and the lives of the Vespers and humanity.”
Rating: ***
I received a free copy of Order of Vespers in exchange for an honest review.
By the end of the first page I was intrigued and hooked. I love Jasper as a name for a girl! I didn't like Jasper at the beginning, but I hoped this would pave the way for character development. While I wasn't keen on Jasper, I loved her relationship with her twin brother Jude and how they interacted.
I did find Order of Vespers quite confusing and difficult to follow. I didn't warm to Jasper throughout the book, nor anyone from the Order. Despite this Order of Vespers was very well written with the dialogue and description fitting together nicely.
After the very strong start, the novel was disappointing but I would hope everything becomes clearer in the sequel.
