Izzy Verdery
Claimed By an Angel by Izzy Verdery
This truly cosmic fantasy YA novel Claimed By an Angel treads in Milton’s footsteps, creating a world at the mercy of a bickering, once-married, couple – God and Satan – who have decided to use two human pawns to settle their dispute once and for all. And this time? God is a woman.
Stella and Rachel are best friends. When they’re each claimed by polar opposites: Heaven and Hell, neither knows what happened to the other.
As soon as Stella finds out where Rachel is, she is determined to try and find and rescue her. As she gets her wings, learns some magic, and becomes someone worthy of angel hood in Heaven, she has to go, because Rachel’s in trouble. Meanwhile, Rachel finds herself on dark street, talking to a strange boy who claims he knows the Devil. Trying to navigate the World of Shadows is hard, but it’s even harder as she uncovers more about who she is, why she’s there, and just where Stella might be.
With the help of their friends, the two girls begin a quest that none of them fully understand to bring a millennia-old relationship back to the start. In this thrilling tale of friendship, first romance, and new beginnings, follow Rachel and Stella as they embark on a quest to find each other. New teenage author Izzy Verdery showcases the best of dystopian YA fantasy fiction. The story of Stella and Rachel will show the other side of history- the greatest love story ever told.
The Book Doctors:
First of all, we are kind of awed by the fact that you are a teenage author. That is so cool! We always say agents, publishers and readers are looking for stories that are familiar yet unique. Paradise Lost casts such enormous shadows over Western culture, you automatically give yourself a built-in fan base. And then you have the great twist that God is a woman. It feels biblical, but very modern at the same time. We also love that Satan and God were a bickering once-married couple. You also allude to other great stories, like Orpheus and Eurydice, in which Orpheus descends into hell to retrieve the love of his life. In terms of how to improve the pitch, we don’t quite get any vision of the “World of Shadows”. What exactly is she facing? You use the word “quest” twice in the same paragraph. Don’t tell us that your book is thrilling. Just show us. Similarly, don’t tell us that you are the “best of dystopian fiction.” Just show us how great you are. You could also use a couple of comparable titles, books that you think are similar.
Harry
March 16, 2014 @ 8:16 am
Izzy is the best
Izzy (le author)
March 16, 2014 @ 3:36 pm
harry is amazing
Lisa
March 16, 2014 @ 9:27 am
1 vote for Izzy!! Nice job.
Izzy (le author)
March 16, 2014 @ 3:36 pm
thank you so so so much
Izzy (le author)
March 16, 2014 @ 11:21 am
AHHHH! So exciting! Thank you so much for this opportunity
Jenn Elmas
March 16, 2014 @ 1:42 pm
You go Izzy!!!!
Izzy (le author)
March 19, 2014 @ 11:42 am
thank you so much ms elmas!
Toni
March 16, 2014 @ 2:16 pm
Awesome book start!!<3
Penny
March 17, 2014 @ 6:10 am
Wow… Exciting and a bit scary book! I love it!
Tamora Ilasat
March 17, 2014 @ 10:50 am
Good work! and Good Luck!
Stacey
March 17, 2014 @ 11:30 am
Fantastic! I vote for Izzy!
Daniella
March 17, 2014 @ 1:26 pm
Bravo! Great work!
Beth
March 17, 2014 @ 1:49 pm
Way to go Izzy! So proud of you!
Maureen Dobuski
March 17, 2014 @ 2:44 pm
Great work Izzy, very impressive!
Joan Crigger
March 18, 2014 @ 5:34 am
Izzy is great!
Joan Wills
March 18, 2014 @ 3:54 pm
Izzy you are building on the history of your grandmother and mother — smart, creative, and in the words of my grandchildren awesome.
The plot is not just fascinating for the target age group — it is contextual, historical and fanciful.
Gary Johnson
March 18, 2014 @ 5:10 pm
Can’t wait to read it Izzy! Will have to send you more glass animals. Any requests?
Gary
Jossie
March 19, 2014 @ 12:45 pm
Wow Izzy. I always thought you would be successful but I never thought it would be so fast. Saludos desde México. Besos !!!!
Eunice Mazloom
March 19, 2014 @ 4:47 pm
Awesome Izzy!!!
Fredward
March 20, 2014 @ 6:20 am
AMAZING! TELL ME WHEN THIS GETS PUBLISHED SO I CAN STEAL ALL OF MY FRIENDS’ COPIES! …erm, I mean, it’s good.
Eduardo
March 20, 2014 @ 6:23 am
This book is a ray of sunshine in my cats… wait, what? Point is, this book is gooooooooooddddd.
RAFAEL
March 20, 2014 @ 7:35 am
Powerful stuff. Such insight for someone so young.
MB Swad
March 20, 2014 @ 10:12 am
Way to go Izzy. Great job.
Maddie Pickard
March 20, 2014 @ 2:56 pm
Amazing job Izzy!!!
Jane Brady
March 21, 2014 @ 11:48 am
Very interesting!!! Great job and good luck.
Ben
March 21, 2014 @ 12:41 pm
Good work izzy!
Janie oconnor
March 21, 2014 @ 12:41 pm
Brilliant writing Izzy! Keep up the great work!
jeanie chapin
March 21, 2014 @ 2:55 pm
Amazing!
Ms. Smith
March 21, 2014 @ 3:40 pm
As Izzy’s language arts teacher, I can attest to her creativity, talent, and willingness to work hard to bring it home! We’ll all be so proud to say we “knew her when.” Go, Izzy, go!
Izzy (le author)
March 26, 2014 @ 6:32 am
Ah! Ms. Smith! Thank you so much for voting!
Alexandra de Borchgrave
March 24, 2014 @ 11:08 am
I vote for Izzy without reservation! ~ Alexandra
Telmo
March 25, 2014 @ 12:53 am
Claimed by Izzy!
well done!
Rebekah Lee Garbutt
March 25, 2014 @ 6:17 am
Izzy, you rock! You are amazing!
Page
March 25, 2014 @ 11:15 am
Good job!
Art
March 25, 2014 @ 2:36 pm
An intreguing updating of the oldest story known to man. I cannot wait to read this.
julie heizer
March 25, 2014 @ 6:10 pm
Well done, Izzy!
Kimberly
March 26, 2014 @ 3:59 am
Wow- what a remarkable story teller! Captivating! Loved it!
Laura
March 26, 2014 @ 6:02 am
Intriguing story line. Can’t wait to read it.
Suzy Coca
March 26, 2014 @ 8:48 am
wow Izzy… well done indeed… I look forward to reading your books 🙂
Tiffany Prather
March 27, 2014 @ 6:01 am
Congratulations! What an achievement.
Hazel S.
March 27, 2014 @ 9:52 am
Interesting idea – can’t wait to see how it turns out! I’m voting for this one 🙂
Carole
March 27, 2014 @ 11:07 am
Wonderful, creative story Izzy. Congratulations!
Ms. Critchell
March 27, 2014 @ 11:29 am
Izzy- I have been following your love of reading even before your burgeoning writing career. All the best with everything.
Lori
March 27, 2014 @ 4:48 pm
So talented – nice work Izzy!
L. Galotto
March 27, 2014 @ 6:01 pm
This book sounds great. Count me in for Izzy!
Paul G. Eisen
March 27, 2014 @ 6:55 pm
Very imaginative, this young girl deserves to win this competition.
JT
March 28, 2014 @ 5:55 am
Hopefully the first of many. Great work!
everett myers
March 28, 2014 @ 6:16 am
I vote for Izzy. Well done and keep writing.
Lisa Fleetwood
March 28, 2014 @ 12:55 pm
Great Job!
Ina
March 29, 2014 @ 3:47 pm
This is a very clever storyline!
sheila wayman
March 30, 2014 @ 6:27 am
KEEP UP THE FLOW YOU ARE ON THE RIGHT TRACK OF CAPTURING THE READERS ATTENTION
GOOD WORK YOUNG LADY
Rich
March 30, 2014 @ 8:30 pm
Another vote for Izzy
Sherry
March 30, 2014 @ 8:34 pm
Can’t wait to read it.
You got my vote
Janet Zimmerman
March 31, 2014 @ 6:06 am
YAY Izzy! What a great pitch and wonderful book! Congratulations on this great work!
Ruth Compton
March 31, 2014 @ 2:19 pm
You know Izzy, your story totally rocks and I am so proud of you. Good luck!
Ruth Compton
March 31, 2014 @ 2:42 pm
Izzy – you totally rock and I am so proud of you!
Harry
April 11, 2014 @ 5:38 am
Great Job Izzy