The Space Between by Brenna Yovanoff

Originally I read in December of 2012 but it was such a good book I thought I would share my mom's review and insisted our followers check it out!!- Alexa, 12

Goodreads Synopsis:

Everything is made of steel, even the flowers. How can you love anything in a place like this?
Daphne is the half-demon, half-fallen angel daughter of Lucifer and Lilith. Life for her is an endless expanse of time, until her brother Obie is kidnapped - and Daphne realizes she may be partially responsible. Determined to find him, Daphne travels from her home in Pandemonium to the vast streets of Earth, where everything is colder and more terrifying. With the help of the human boy she believes was the last person to see her brother alive, Daphne glimpses into his dreams, discovering clues to Obie's whereabouts. As she delves deeper into her demonic powers, she must navigate the jealousies and alliances of the violent archangels who stand in her way. But she also discovers, unexpectedly, what it means to love and be human in a world where human is the hardest thing to be.
This second novel by rising star Brenna Yovanoff is a story of identity, discovery, and a troubled love between two people struggling to find their place both in our world and theirs.

The Space Between

by Brenna Yovanoff

Our rating: 5 of 5 stars

“Yes, he’s dead— for the only reason that matters. He died for redemption. I gave him redemption, even if I will never be forgiven.” – Beelzebub Kindle Location 3357-3558

What attracted me to “The Space Between” was the Lilith story line. I am such a sucker for mythology and an even bigger sucker for religious mythology. I always find it interesting to see what kind of spin author will put on them. So when my reading group announced “The Space between” would be the mid-month read and I got a look at the synopsis and I was hooked. Not being able to recall the whole Jewish tale of Lilith Adams first wife; I was glad for the prologue. A piece of back ground information to peek any curious reader imagination. However it left me to ponder basic questions. How much is true to the legend and how much was created by Yovanoff?? The legend of Lilith in Yovanoff “The Space Between” doesn’t necessarily have to breathe truth for Daphne’s story to be brought to life. However, it does give the reader insight to how Daphne may or may not have come into existence.

My favorite characters flip flopped throughout the entire book resting finally on two in the final chapters and forever changing my opinions of other previously beloved characters. When I first started reading Daphne was my favorite character. She was your typical teenage girl; oblivious to the world around her yet had a true sense of who she didn’t want to be despite who her mother and father were. Then her half- brother Obie enters the storyline; a half demon/ half human but able and willing to love beyond any measure. Daphne showed true promise when she came to the aid of a lost one; the half-breed child of a fallen angel and a human with the help of her brother Obie when he was leaving purgatory for good to be with the lost one he loved.

Ahh, Truman, the boy Daphne and Obi fought to save and wouldn’t have if it were not for Beelzebub. You can’t help but to feel for the young man. He has no idea who his father is. He lost his mother who he loved dearly and his step father; though present— checked out on him. He’s alone and miserable with no true guidance in his life with no one looking out for his best interest. His life is a colossal mess; it no wonders he is slowly killing himself.

As the story charges forward with Daphne leaves purgatory in a desperate search for Obie who has gone missing. She seeks out Truman, the last person to see her brother alive for a clue to where he might. I found myself growing to love the interaction between these two. Trials and tribulations and discoveries these two make are vital to the story.

As a parent, I know this is odd but my favorite characters are Beelzebub and Obi. Beelzebub knew his reign in hell would end but he sacrificed it for his son. So even though he was fallen he still knew love. However, no matter my feeling for Daphne and Truman in the end I was disappointed with the ending. I just couldn’t believe what Daphne did. Yes I was heartbroken that they were separated. But if in the same shoes… I would have done the same for my own child to insure grace and redemption. Let me clarify…. I wouldn’t do it to my child now… I am saying if I were a fallen parent of a half human/half fallen angel damned by who his/her parent are and my child was attempting to kill themselves and have to spend an eternity in hell then yes… once redemption was achieved I would do everything I could to keep my child from ending up right where he/she started out. That includes a double tap to the chest and one to the head.

And Obie was another great strength of character. Though his roll was just to provide a reason for the story line, it was his devotion to family, love and life that spoke volumes to me. To endure such painful punishment and still stand firm and protect your family at the risk of your own life, how can you not love such a character?

My final thoughts… To say that “The Space Between” is a simple story would be an understatement. My reasoning is simple. The religious undertone of the book leaves your mind to ponder some basic questions that could spark some great debates. Would you damn yourself to save someone you loved? Would you escape hell to save someone you loved? Would you allow others to die to save your own child? Would you kill your own child to save them? Would you die to protect the ones you love? Would you take someone you love from heaven just to have them again?