Review: In the arms of Stone Angels by Jordan Dane

In the arms of Stone Angels 

By Jordan Dane
Published: April 1, 2011

Goodreads summary:
Two years ago, Brenna did the unthinkable. She witnessed the aftermath of a murder and accused her only true friend--the first boy she ever loved--of being a killer.

Now sixteen, Brenna returns to Oklahoma only to discover that Isaac "White Bird" Henry isn't in juvie. The half-breed outcast is in a mental hospital, frozen in time, locked in his mind at the worst moment of his life. And when Brenna touches him, she's pulled into his hellish vision quest, seeing terrifying demons and illusions she doesn't understand.

Feeling isolated and alone, she's up against the whole town, targeted by bullying former classmates, a bigoted small town sheriff, and a tribe who refuses to help one of their own. But when Brenna realizes she's as trapped by the past as White Bird is, this time she won't turn her back on him. She's the only one who can free them both.

Even if she has to expose her secret--a "gift" she's kept hidden her whole life.

My Review    4 of 5 stars

I had the pleasure of meeting Jordan Dane at Katy Budget Books during the Chills and Thrills tour and this book definitely lived up to the tour name.  
 

This was a YA book like none I had encountered before, which is a good thing.  I was drawn to the book by the mysterious description that sounded like a plot adults could sink their teeth into.  Plus the spiritual world of Indian tribes is not one that I have encountered before in YA and felt it was tastefully done.  

Brenna is a girl I could relate to.  She marches to the beat of her own drummer and dresses in a way to not get attention, though it often gets her more attention.   My heart went out to Brenna, I mean I can’t imagine how hard it would be to be blamed for something that you didn’t do, let alone you thought you were being a responsible person.  Not only did she turn in the boy she loved for murder, she had to move away because everyone, including her mom, really thought she may have been involved.  Then my heart broke for Brenna when she had to move back after her grandmother passed away.  You’d think after a couple years, people would have mellowed out, but no.  No one in a little town forgets anything, especially if the secret of what REALLY happened two years ago is still hidden somewhere.  

Brenna never really believed that White Bird could have killed someone, and after living with the guilt of turning him in, she is determined to set things straight.  This determination lands her in some thrilling and potentially dangerous situations that keep you guessing til the end. 
 

This is a beautifully written story that grabs you from the beginning and will not let you go until you get to the bottom of the mystery.  As I read this book, it was like I could see a movie playing before my eyes, which is probably why I finished it so fast.  The world that Jordan Dane created is captivating and simple at the same time.  I was so happy to have read a stand-alone that had unexpected twists and suspense that kept me going until the end.   

If you are looking for a book with just a touch of the supernatural and will give you a few chills & thrills along the way, then this is the book for you! I would highly recommend you give In the arms of Stone Angels a chance.