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99th out of 1,176 books
—
2,162 voters
Black Wings (Black Wings #1)
by
Christina Henry (Goodreads Author)
She's an Agent of Death who really needs to get a life.
As an Agent of Death, Madeline Black is responsible for escorting the souls of the dearly departed to the afterlife. It's a 24/7 job with a lousy benefits package.
Maddy's position may come with magical powers and an impressive wingspan, but it doesn't pay the bills. And then there are her infuriating boss, tenant woes,...more
As an Agent of Death, Madeline Black is responsible for escorting the souls of the dearly departed to the afterlife. It's a 24/7 job with a lousy benefits package.
Maddy's position may come with magical powers and an impressive wingspan, but it doesn't pay the bills. And then there are her infuriating boss, tenant woes,...more
Mass Market Paperback, 295 pages
Published
November 30th 2010
by Ace
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This book had a lot of potential in the imagination department. I mean, the main character is a soul collector. We can ignore the tenous links to the Georgina Kincaid series while doing this review. Mostly because the Georgina Kincaid series and I are no longer on speaking terms. That bitch knows what she did!
Any way, this story's one strength is quickly overwhelmed by its poor, stilted writing, vague and non-plausible story arcs and two-dimensional cardboard cut-outs.
The story goes that we meet...more
Any way, this story's one strength is quickly overwhelmed by its poor, stilted writing, vague and non-plausible story arcs and two-dimensional cardboard cut-outs.
The story goes that we meet...more
Review originally posted at Fiction Vixen
*4.5 Stars*
This book turned out to be quite a pleasant surprise. Urban Fantasy books seem to be hit or miss with me. First person narrative is not a favorite of mine—it makes me feel like I’m living in a vacuum—and too often I don’t like the heroine. It’s hard for me to read and enjoy a book when I’m stuck in the head of someone I don’t particularly like. I’ve also noticed that quite a few heroines seem to be bitchy and argumentative as shorthand for stro...more
*4.5 Stars*
This book turned out to be quite a pleasant surprise. Urban Fantasy books seem to be hit or miss with me. First person narrative is not a favorite of mine—it makes me feel like I’m living in a vacuum—and too often I don’t like the heroine. It’s hard for me to read and enjoy a book when I’m stuck in the head of someone I don’t particularly like. I’ve also noticed that quite a few heroines seem to be bitchy and argumentative as shorthand for stro...more
24 likes · like · see review
Black Wings by Christina Henry is fast paced, action packed and hardcore- breathing new life into the vast genre of Urban Fantasy. I was sucked into Madeline Black's morbid world of death from page one and didn't stop until the book was over. (At which point I was like what!? That's it?! I want mooore!) This is my favorite Urban Fantasy read of the year- an absolutely fabulous debut novel.
Maddy lives in an alternate-Chicago where the Agents of Death have their main office. Maddy has inherited t...more
Maddy lives in an alternate-Chicago where the Agents of Death have their main office. Maddy has inherited t...more
As an Agent of Death, Madeline Black is responsible for escorting the souls of the dearly departed to the afterlife. It's a 24/7 job with a lousy benefits package.
Maddy's position may come with magical abilities and an impressive windspan, but it doesn't pay the bills. And then there are her infuriating boss, tenant woes, and a cranky, popcorn-loving gargoyle to contend with.
Things start looking up, though, when tall, dark, and handsome Gabriel Angeloscuro agrees to rent the empty apartment in M...more
Maddy's position may come with magical abilities and an impressive windspan, but it doesn't pay the bills. And then there are her infuriating boss, tenant woes, and a cranky, popcorn-loving gargoyle to contend with.
Things start looking up, though, when tall, dark, and handsome Gabriel Angeloscuro agrees to rent the empty apartment in M...more
Another Angels and Demons book, what more could I want? Black Wings turned out to be quite a surprising book.
Madeline Black is the heroine of this book and I liked learning secrets about her that she has found out, so could become a very strong woman when all of this is over. There were times when I thought she acted way too much like a heroine in a young adult novel, and maybe that maybe the fact that she is still a virgin, I don't know. I liked Madeline as the heroine, but she is not my favori...more
Madeline Black is the heroine of this book and I liked learning secrets about her that she has found out, so could become a very strong woman when all of this is over. There were times when I thought she acted way too much like a heroine in a young adult novel, and maybe that maybe the fact that she is still a virgin, I don't know. I liked Madeline as the heroine, but she is not my favori...more
4 likes · like · see review
Black Wings by Christina Henry
Urban Fantasy -Nov. 30, 2010
4 ½ stars
Black Wings by Christina Henry is a fabulous start to a new urban fantasy series. The heroine is plucky, sardonic, and highly entertaining to read.
Maddy is stuck as an agent of death. And important and (unfortunately, terminally) inherited job to guide dead souls through the mysterious 'Door.' If Maddy and those like her fail to perform their task these souls are lost to haunt the earth restless. Sounds cool, but the problem? The...more
Urban Fantasy -Nov. 30, 2010
4 ½ stars
Black Wings by Christina Henry is a fabulous start to a new urban fantasy series. The heroine is plucky, sardonic, and highly entertaining to read.
Maddy is stuck as an agent of death. And important and (unfortunately, terminally) inherited job to guide dead souls through the mysterious 'Door.' If Maddy and those like her fail to perform their task these souls are lost to haunt the earth restless. Sounds cool, but the problem? The...more
Great premise and there was lots of action but he heroine flu d herself unconscious and her head injured way too many times. I like Gabriel and I knew right away who her later second love interest would be and I didn't mind him. I was mad that they created a fun character at the beginning who is almost immediately killed and she barely even ack owl edges his death.
My biggest problem though, and I appear to be the only reviewer to mind this is that Maddie is morally ambiguous at best. She is con...more
My biggest problem though, and I appear to be the only reviewer to mind this is that Maddie is morally ambiguous at best. She is con...more
Maddy is an Agent of Death, her job is to escort souls to the "Door". Her life is pretty mundane until a deliciously handsome stranger shows up at her door to rent out an apartment in her building and from there ciaos ensues.
First I must say, I'm not usually fond of first person books. Reasons are ones that I had read didn't convey the emotion, enough description and seemed rushed. But that changed after reading Twilight(I am not comparing those books to this one), I learned not to judge all boo...more
First I must say, I'm not usually fond of first person books. Reasons are ones that I had read didn't convey the emotion, enough description and seemed rushed. But that changed after reading Twilight(I am not comparing those books to this one), I learned not to judge all boo...more
3 likes · like · see review
Feb 05, 2011
Cathy
rated it
3 of 5 stars
Shelves:
angels-demons,
fantasy,
urban,
paranormal,
mythology,
read-in-2011,
romance,
series-reminder
It was ok. I had a few snarky comments to make throughout, and I think that the author threw in too many elements. (Why even mention werewolves, vampires and fairies? Maybe she's laying the groundwork for the next book, but it felt amateur.) Plus it bugged me that they all wear clothes and yet when wings "push out of her back" there's no problem. They aren't metaphorical wings, so where's the wardrobe malfunction? Pretty minor, but it's that kind of book, some minor irritations but generally fin...more
review at Alternative.read.com
This is another good new urban fantasy series. There may be many out there, and because of that there is sure something for everyone to enjoy.
What I liked about Christina Henry's Black Wings is that it took a hold of me at once and would not let go. I wanted to know what happened, I needed to knew what the secrets were and it was just such an enjoyable ride while it lasted. There was one thing though that was not that good, but in the end it did not matter since I t...more
This is another good new urban fantasy series. There may be many out there, and because of that there is sure something for everyone to enjoy.
What I liked about Christina Henry's Black Wings is that it took a hold of me at once and would not let go. I wanted to know what happened, I needed to knew what the secrets were and it was just such an enjoyable ride while it lasted. There was one thing though that was not that good, but in the end it did not matter since I t...more
This book initially reminded me of a harder edged 'Dead like me', so here's a quick run down of things Madeline Black and Georgia Lass have in common:
- They're both Reapers, collecting souls of the newly deceased and escort them to the great big "whatever".
- The business of death as a lame bureaucracy related gig, makes for lots of great dark humor. I especially like that in this book they were referred to as 'agents', it fit the morbid IRS feel perfectly.
- They both fell into the job through f...more
- They're both Reapers, collecting souls of the newly deceased and escort them to the great big "whatever".
- The business of death as a lame bureaucracy related gig, makes for lots of great dark humor. I especially like that in this book they were referred to as 'agents', it fit the morbid IRS feel perfectly.
- They both fell into the job through f...more
7 likes · like · see review
Black Wings is an exciting new Urban Fantasy with a new twist on some familiar mythology. The story centers on a “who’s who” list of demons and angels - but adds several new faces to create a wonderful new world full of mystery, action and adventure. Set in modern day Chicago, the story focuses on the life of Agent Madeline Black (Maddy). Agents are humans with wings who born into their job helping souls of the departed cross through to the otherside. But it’s not a romantic job - full of paperw...more
1 like · like · see review
(3.5 stars) What happens when a virginal agent of death and a smoking hot angel team up against a new deadly foe?
Black Wings is a wonderful mesh of paranormal romance and urban fantasy. I have to admit that Madeline "Maddy" Black wasn't my favorite character, but the supporting characters really shine and I hope to read more of Beezle and Gabriel in the future. Beezle, Maddy's gargoyle guardian, is adorable and adds comic relief to a story that is often dark and violent. Black Wings is an actio...more
Black Wings is a wonderful mesh of paranormal romance and urban fantasy. I have to admit that Madeline "Maddy" Black wasn't my favorite character, but the supporting characters really shine and I hope to read more of Beezle and Gabriel in the future. Beezle, Maddy's gargoyle guardian, is adorable and adds comic relief to a story that is often dark and violent. Black Wings is an actio...more
The rambling and ranting review of a bookfanatic!
Ok, I do not get it. I really had a hard time with this book. I kept putting it down because I found it boring and frustrating. In fact, I ended up reading a novella in-between just to get through this book.
Here are my rants-(Yes, I’m reverting to the ole bullet point list- work with me people.)
• Madeline Black is one annoying character. I know other reviews talked about how much they enjoyed her but frankly, I was just the opposite. She was whiny...more
Ok, I do not get it. I really had a hard time with this book. I kept putting it down because I found it boring and frustrating. In fact, I ended up reading a novella in-between just to get through this book.
Here are my rants-(Yes, I’m reverting to the ole bullet point list- work with me people.)
• Madeline Black is one annoying character. I know other reviews talked about how much they enjoyed her but frankly, I was just the opposite. She was whiny...more
16 likes · like · see review
It’s sad that I want to do nothing in this review but go “ZOMG! I.LOVE.THIS.BOOK!” (lol) but it’s true: Black Wings is amazing! Here we are introduced to Madeline “Maddy” Black, an Agent of Death living in Chicago with her best friend, a snarky gargoyle named Beezle. Her job is to help souls to cross over to the Door. This is unfortunately not a stable job and even combined with her freelance recipe writing, Maddy is still having trouble making ends meet and is desperate for a tenant.
Continue: h...more
Continue: h...more
Maddy is an Agent, someone whose job it is to guide the newly dead to the Door so they can move on. Her job was inherited when her mother was killed and it comes with a set of black wings, that when called out, can’t be seen by most people. Paperwork, the lack of a relationship because it would be difficult with her hours, and the fact that this isn’t a full time job so money is tight are the worst parts of the job.
She also owns a two-flat and demons start showing up when she rents the lower hal...more
She also owns a two-flat and demons start showing up when she rents the lower hal...more
I'm going to start my review first and foremost that I am not fond of romance. I cringe at the sight of those sappy h*rlequin novels (Though, ironically, I love Danielle Steel...but that's not the point). And While this book could be considered "romance" I was still able to get through it in about a day (not including breaks) and I thoroughly enjoyed every page. Though, admittedly, it started to get a little rushed and a little bit cliched at the end. Still, I highly recommend it to all you roma...more
I kinda started this series out of order...I read Black Howl first. Leave it to me to START at the 3rd in the series. *shakes head* My interest was attached immediately and HAD to start from the beginning to have some of my questions answered.
Madeline "Maddy" Black is an Agent of Death, who escorts souls to their door to the afterlife. She's been on her own since she was 13 years old after her Mother's tragic, violent death and Maddy inherits the Death's Agents duties as do all the Agents. Her...more
Madeline "Maddy" Black is an Agent of Death, who escorts souls to their door to the afterlife. She's been on her own since she was 13 years old after her Mother's tragic, violent death and Maddy inherits the Death's Agents duties as do all the Agents. Her...more
First I must admit that I am not yet finished with this book, I'm currently on page 216. I'll most likely finish reading it, it isn't bad to the point of not being able to finish... but it is kind of bad.
I picked this book up because it was on a list, and it had a decent rating. A misleadingly decent rating.
Death is a bureacracy, and Madeline Black is one of its agents. Her job is to pick up the souls of the recently departed, and convince them to "go through the door". Her boss is a corner-off...more
I picked this book up because it was on a list, and it had a decent rating. A misleadingly decent rating.
Death is a bureacracy, and Madeline Black is one of its agents. Her job is to pick up the souls of the recently departed, and convince them to "go through the door". Her boss is a corner-off...more
I finally just had to give up on this book. There was just nothing about it that I liked.
My big complaint is why in the world would anyone trust the eternal souls of people to a group of unpaid/unhappy about their job/ sometimes 13 year old/ indifferent people who have this task just because of their bloodline. The opening scene shows the main character leaving a batty old lady to waunder forever as a ghost because she needs to show her apartment WTF. She could have easily helped put the lady'...more
My big complaint is why in the world would anyone trust the eternal souls of people to a group of unpaid/unhappy about their job/ sometimes 13 year old/ indifferent people who have this task just because of their bloodline. The opening scene shows the main character leaving a batty old lady to waunder forever as a ghost because she needs to show her apartment WTF. She could have easily helped put the lady'...more
Maddy's not having the time of her life - she's stuck doing a favor for her best friend and ends up with a headache and more paperwork, not to mention an ass-chewing from their boss, J.B. Then Gabriel Angeloscuro comes calling and her life goes to hell - literally! Demons are coming out of thin air, trying to kill her for reasons totally unknown to her, but not to Gabriel and Beezle (her guardian gargoyle). Maddy's got to learn quick about her legacy and powers in order to survive the next few d...more
Being an Agent, someone who aids the newly dead to the pearly gates just got busier for Maddy since the demons hit town. Finding out that your new hot tenet maybe more than he seems, downright dangerous. A pack of soul thirsty demons crashing into on street corners, just made your job/life all that more harder.
All Maddy wanted to to in life was relax a bit, find a man, hunt a killer, and get her job done. While life did not come easily for Maddy, her future is looking a whole lot brighter and...more
All Maddy wanted to to in life was relax a bit, find a man, hunt a killer, and get her job done. While life did not come easily for Maddy, her future is looking a whole lot brighter and...more
Interesting premise and certainly action packed but I wasn't quite convinced.
Madeline Black is an agent of death, which means that she escorts souls to their final destination. It turns out that this is all organised by a fairly heavy duty bureaucracy which is keen on paperwork and Maddy's boss JB is a particularly retentive task master.
Out of the blue Maddy and her gargoyle get a new prospective tenant Gabriel, who has 'stars/ sun bursts in his eyes'
The next thing it is all out carnage as Mad...more
Madeline Black is an agent of death, which means that she escorts souls to their final destination. It turns out that this is all organised by a fairly heavy duty bureaucracy which is keen on paperwork and Maddy's boss JB is a particularly retentive task master.
Out of the blue Maddy and her gargoyle get a new prospective tenant Gabriel, who has 'stars/ sun bursts in his eyes'
The next thing it is all out carnage as Mad...more
Probably this falls somewhere between 2 and 3 stars. I thought this book had a good concept, but the execution was a bit uneven. Madeline Black collects the souls of the recently departed and escorts them to the Door - but no one living knows what lies on the other side of that door. Death is (of course!) a bureaucracy, and the daily job involves a lot of paperwork, a petty manager, and low pay. So our heroine is struggling to get by, as the story opens, with the rental apartment in her house (f...more
Plot: 4 Stars
I absolutely loved the idea of death being run as a beauracracy, especially since it seemed to have a large amount of paperwork involved. Maddy's job as an agent of death was very interesting, even if we only got to witness a few pickups (some working out better than others). I hope we get to see a little more of the job in future novels. Between the demons and nephilim, there was plenty of action for Maddy and Gabriel to deal with throughout the novel. The events of the novel opene...more
I absolutely loved the idea of death being run as a beauracracy, especially since it seemed to have a large amount of paperwork involved. Maddy's job as an agent of death was very interesting, even if we only got to witness a few pickups (some working out better than others). I hope we get to see a little more of the job in future novels. Between the demons and nephilim, there was plenty of action for Maddy and Gabriel to deal with throughout the novel. The events of the novel opene...more
I feel incredibly lucky to have noticed a GR friend reading this book, because it was just ... incredible!
Black Wings is the debut novel of Christina Henry, who has really come up with a novel (no pun intended) UF world in which her heroine, Madeline,is an Agent - meaning she escorts souls to The Door, which is a heriditary position on her mom's side. Unfortunately this is not a paying job nor one she can decide to quit. Since souls are scheduled to depart at all times throughout the day, holdin...more
Black Wings is the debut novel of Christina Henry, who has really come up with a novel (no pun intended) UF world in which her heroine, Madeline,is an Agent - meaning she escorts souls to The Door, which is a heriditary position on her mom's side. Unfortunately this is not a paying job nor one she can decide to quit. Since souls are scheduled to depart at all times throughout the day, holdin...more
Is it just me, or are we starting to develop a surfeit of spunky, young paranormal-based heroines working at coming to grips with their newly developed and/or developing powers while trying to fire up (or maybe cool off) a relationship with the hottest guy in the plot? Just asking. I mean, I can't seem to put my hand down on the New Releases table in a bookstore without touching another one.
Having gotten that off my chest for at least this moment, I'm now in the position of admitting that Christ...more
Actually I give this 3.5 stars. First off I really enjoyed this story. It is a clever twist on the angel mythology. This story straddles the fence between being a good book and a great one. I really like the characters (especially Beezle, the gargoyle) and I think as the author becomes more comfortable with them they will truly shine. This has all the things I love in a UF/PNR, interesting world building (clever!), humor and smexy men. Madeline has her fair share of eligible men vying for her at...more
I would rate this as a guanteed read - for pure escapism & being well written. I was glued from the first page. It flows, the story twists & turns & you are right there with the main character Maddy throughout, who through no fault of her own, is a Soul Collector - when her mother died she automatically had to take over & grew into her wings, dodging social services with only a Gargoyle for companionship & protection from the age of thirteen - Maddy is defensive, opinionated,...more
Madeline Black is just a normal thirty something woman with black hair, eyes that fill with starshine, and an agent of death. Her best friend and room mate is a popcorn addicted gargoyle whose existence is dedicated to protecting her home. She has a hotter than average boss who just happens to have to personality of a grumpy skunk; but with all that her life is pretty normal...
Until demons start attacking her and one "handsome devil" turns up on her doorstep to rent the apartment under her. Then...more
Until demons start attacking her and one "handsome devil" turns up on her doorstep to rent the apartment under her. Then...more
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Urban Fantasy: Black Wings--December Group Read--SPOILERS | 7 | 53 | Jan 04, 2012 03:51am |
Christina Henry is a graduate of Columbia College Chicago and enjoys running long distances, reading anything she can get her hands on and watching movies with samurai, zombies and/or subtitles in her spare time. She lives in Chicago with her husband and son.
More about Christina Henry...
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Dec 22, 2012 06:51am
Mar 02, 2013 06:12pm