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Black Wings #1
Black Wings
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, 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 Maddy's building. It's probably just a coincidence that as soon as he moves in demons appear on the front lawn. But when an unholy monster is unleashed upon the streets of Chicago, Maddy discovers powers she never knew she possessed. Powers linked to a family legacy of tarnished halos.
Powers that place her directly between the light of Heaven and the fires of Hell...
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, 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 Maddy's building. It's probably just a coincidence that as soon as he moves in demons appear on the front lawn. But when an unholy monster is unleashed upon the streets of Chicago, Maddy discovers powers she never knew she possessed. Powers linked to a family legacy of tarnished halos.
Powers that place her directly between the light of Heaven and the fires of Hell...
295 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published November 30, 2010
207 people are currently reading
10919 people want to read
About the author
Christina Henry
59 books8,471 followersChristina Henry is a horror and dark fantasy author whose works include GOOD GIRLS DON'T DIE, HORSEMAN, NEAR THE BONE, THE GHOST TREE, LOOKING GLASS, THE GIRL IN RED, THE MERMAID, LOST BOY, RED QUEEN, ALICE, and the seven book urban fantasy BLACK WINGS series.
Her short stories have been featured in the anthologies ELEMENTAL FORCES, CURSED, TWICE CURSED, GIVING THE DEVIL HIS DUE and KICKING IT.
She 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.
You can visit her on the web at
www.christinahenry.net
Facebook: authorChristinaHenry
Threads: authorChristinaHenry
Instagram: authorChristinaHenry
Goodreads: goodreads.com/CHenryAuthor
Her short stories have been featured in the anthologies ELEMENTAL FORCES, CURSED, TWICE CURSED, GIVING THE DEVIL HIS DUE and KICKING IT.
She 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.
You can visit her on the web at
www.christinahenry.net
Facebook: authorChristinaHenry
Threads: authorChristinaHenry
Instagram: authorChristinaHenry
Goodreads: goodreads.com/CHenryAuthor
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 715 reviews
December 16, 2010
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 Madeline:
Okay, I admit this looks nothing like her but stick with me here.
She is a soul collector, it's her job and it's going alright except her boss:
Okay, once again, nothing like him but... yeah, I'm lazy. Give me a break!
Well, her boss is an asshole, but it's nothing she can't handle until mysterious bad guys kill her best friend and try to kill her. Then this guy turns up:
No disclaimers for this one.
He's brooding and mysterious and Madeline is SURE something is up.
Now, I can't actually go much further into the plot except to say that secrets come out, powers are revealed and love triangles are forming.
Love triangles like this. And this time I mean EXACTLY like this!
If only Madeline was nothing more than a pathetic MC like Bella. That would have been an actual improvement. But she's not.
[image error]
That's right! She's vamp Madeline! Super powered and running through a forest in the ugliest dress imaginable while her boyfriend sparkles in the sunshine!
This story would be the equivalent of me writing a wank fantasy in which I wake up tomorrow, find out the Queen of England is my Grandmother, Obama is my father and I'm engaged to Prince William despite the freaky incest that implies. Whilst discovering all this, I also have the secret to the dawn of humanity and my entire species and I also have inherited the powers of Spiderman only I will not wear spandex and I'll be a hundred times cooler.
Nobody actually wants to read that story because it's LAME.
My last final point is that I'm so freakin' over the whole Nephilim thing. Sure it's fun for fantasy's sake but now the whole trend is annoying me. Since it all decended from the most ridiculous misinterpretation of a single sentence in the Bible I want to clarify this so that I don't have to read anymore of these annoying YA Paranormal trashbooks that romanticize Angels.
Genesis 6:1-6
Now it came about, when men began to multiply on the face of the land, and daughters were born to them, that the sons of God (bene Elohim) saw that the daughters of men were beautiful; and they took wives for themselves, whomever they chose.
Then the LORD said, “My Spirit shall not strive with man forever, because he also is flesh; nevertheless his days shall be one hundred and twenty years.”
The Nephilim were on the earth in those days, and also afterward, when the sons of God (bene Elohim) came in to the daughters of men, and they bore children to them. Those were the mighty men who were of old, men of renown. Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great on the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.
Nephilim is very like it's root word Naphal which does mean "to fall" yet it the context is FAR more likely to refer to fallen MEN since the angels already did their falling before creation. Fallen men as in Adam's sons because man had Fallen. Yet this is referring to his Godly sons. Get it? The term actually used for Angel is Kalm Mal'ak. This term is used just a few books later by Eliphaz in the book of Job. In fact, no where in the Bible are fallen angels referred to as sons of God. You know who is though? Men. Men who serve God. Like Adam, is referred to as the son of God in Luke 3. Then others in Matthew 5:9, Romans 8:14, Romans 8:19, Galatians 3:26. Hosea 1:10 says that Godly people will be terms Sons of the Living God.
DO YOU GET WHAT I AM TELLING YOU!?!?!?!?!?!
There. Now you all know. Stop writing this crap and move onto more original ideas. Writing Biblical fanfiction is so old that the Hebrews were doing it a few days after the book of Genesis came around the watering hole for inspection.
It's called The Book of Enoch and it is ALSO responsible for another dumb plot-device that gives me headaches: Lilith.
Hint: she doesn't exist, and even if she did - she would look totally more badass than this.
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 Madeline:
Okay, I admit this looks nothing like her but stick with me here.
She is a soul collector, it's her job and it's going alright except her boss:
Okay, once again, nothing like him but... yeah, I'm lazy. Give me a break!
Well, her boss is an asshole, but it's nothing she can't handle until mysterious bad guys kill her best friend and try to kill her. Then this guy turns up:
No disclaimers for this one.
He's brooding and mysterious and Madeline is SURE something is up.
Now, I can't actually go much further into the plot except to say that secrets come out, powers are revealed and love triangles are forming.
Love triangles like this. And this time I mean EXACTLY like this!
If only Madeline was nothing more than a pathetic MC like Bella. That would have been an actual improvement. But she's not.
[image error]
That's right! She's vamp Madeline! Super powered and running through a forest in the ugliest dress imaginable while her boyfriend sparkles in the sunshine!
This story would be the equivalent of me writing a wank fantasy in which I wake up tomorrow, find out the Queen of England is my Grandmother, Obama is my father and I'm engaged to Prince William despite the freaky incest that implies. Whilst discovering all this, I also have the secret to the dawn of humanity and my entire species and I also have inherited the powers of Spiderman only I will not wear spandex and I'll be a hundred times cooler.
Nobody actually wants to read that story because it's LAME.
My last final point is that I'm so freakin' over the whole Nephilim thing. Sure it's fun for fantasy's sake but now the whole trend is annoying me. Since it all decended from the most ridiculous misinterpretation of a single sentence in the Bible I want to clarify this so that I don't have to read anymore of these annoying YA Paranormal trashbooks that romanticize Angels.
Genesis 6:1-6
Now it came about, when men began to multiply on the face of the land, and daughters were born to them, that the sons of God (bene Elohim) saw that the daughters of men were beautiful; and they took wives for themselves, whomever they chose.
Then the LORD said, “My Spirit shall not strive with man forever, because he also is flesh; nevertheless his days shall be one hundred and twenty years.”
The Nephilim were on the earth in those days, and also afterward, when the sons of God (bene Elohim) came in to the daughters of men, and they bore children to them. Those were the mighty men who were of old, men of renown. Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great on the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.
Nephilim is very like it's root word Naphal which does mean "to fall" yet it the context is FAR more likely to refer to fallen MEN since the angels already did their falling before creation. Fallen men as in Adam's sons because man had Fallen. Yet this is referring to his Godly sons. Get it? The term actually used for Angel is Kalm Mal'ak. This term is used just a few books later by Eliphaz in the book of Job. In fact, no where in the Bible are fallen angels referred to as sons of God. You know who is though? Men. Men who serve God. Like Adam, is referred to as the son of God in Luke 3. Then others in Matthew 5:9, Romans 8:14, Romans 8:19, Galatians 3:26. Hosea 1:10 says that Godly people will be terms Sons of the Living God.
DO YOU GET WHAT I AM TELLING YOU!?!?!?!?!?!
There. Now you all know. Stop writing this crap and move onto more original ideas. Writing Biblical fanfiction is so old that the Hebrews were doing it a few days after the book of Genesis came around the watering hole for inspection.
It's called The Book of Enoch and it is ALSO responsible for another dumb plot-device that gives me headaches: Lilith.
Hint: she doesn't exist, and even if she did - she would look totally more badass than this.
December 8, 2010
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 strong. Unfortunately, bitchy does not equal strong for this reader. My point with this surplus of information is that I actually liked this heroine. She hit me just right.
Another strong point in the book’s favor is the lack of love triangle. Thank you Christina Henry for not including that. I hate them! This book has enough tension and roadblocks in the relationship without the added headache of another man.
This was an incredibly quick read. Once the action starts it just doesn’t stop. You’ll find yourself sucked in and unable to set it down until you read just one more chapter. The writing is smooth and the author did a nice job of spicing the narrative with humor. It achieved a nice balance with the action and never strayed into the slapstick.
Maddy felt very real. Her reactions were more in line with a regular person’s, so it was easy to relate to her. There was even one part where she got her ass kicked and threw up from the pain before passing out. Now, you may wonder why vomit stuck out in my mind enough for me to mention it, but it’s just one more example of her atypical UF heroine behavior. She didn’t gracefully get beat up and still manage to not break a nail. Maddy had some knock-down-drag-out fights and she didn’t always win on her own. She doesn’t come out of the fight with her pride untarnished either. Some of those people cleaned her clock! But I liked it because it was way more believable than an invincible bad ass.
I really loved Maddy’s relationship with Beezle. He was so cute and protective. He was just like a grumpy teddy bear that you wanted to cuddle! His interactions with the people who interacted with Maddy were a lot of fun too. I love when characters have that wise talking sidekick, like Bob in the Harry Dresden series.
This is a UF that actually felt like a UF instead of leaning toward a PNR. There was the beginning of a possible romantic relationship, but that was just a small focus in Maddy’s new life. The most sexual contact you’re going to get is a kiss or two. I didn’t mind though—I actually think it made the book better.
The author did a good job of hooking my interest into Gabriel though. The things that we learned about his past made him very sympathetic—especially because he doesn’t seem to recognize that his life should be any different. Also, the reality that they face with Maddy’s new political position makes me invested in seeing them work it out. I’d probably root for them on pure principle even if I didn’t like them together just to thwart a certain someone who thinks that he can rule Maddy’s life now no matter what.
I really liked the details of the world. Maddy’s job really interested me. I especially was intrigued by the politics of it. How interesting! The new political world that she has stepped into also seems like it’ll be quite fascinating to learn more about. The only real complaint I had about this book was the lack of world building. Don’t get me wrong, I understood her world and I enjoyed it, but there was just something missing for me in the development of it. Possibly the author will add depth as the series unfolds a la Kate Daniels.
The only warning I would give is for those that do not enjoy books that play with how bad Lucifer actually is. If you don’t enjoy anything but the traditional role of Hell and fallen angels you might just want to pass on this one. They weren’t presented as boy scouts or anything, but they weren’t quite as reviled as some might prefer. So be warned!
That leads to one last comment I’d like to make about the author’s style. She had a very clean writing style with the occasional flip into a more descriptive, powerful style. I also really liked the way the angels were portrayed as beautiful, but it was almost a terrifying beauty.
I just loved the way it was written!
I urge all of you who are interested to go grab a copy of this book and try it out for yourself. Hopefully it works as well for you as it did for me!
Favorite Quote:
*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 strong. Unfortunately, bitchy does not equal strong for this reader. My point with this surplus of information is that I actually liked this heroine. She hit me just right.
Another strong point in the book’s favor is the lack of love triangle. Thank you Christina Henry for not including that. I hate them! This book has enough tension and roadblocks in the relationship without the added headache of another man.
This was an incredibly quick read. Once the action starts it just doesn’t stop. You’ll find yourself sucked in and unable to set it down until you read just one more chapter. The writing is smooth and the author did a nice job of spicing the narrative with humor. It achieved a nice balance with the action and never strayed into the slapstick.
Maddy felt very real. Her reactions were more in line with a regular person’s, so it was easy to relate to her. There was even one part where she got her ass kicked and threw up from the pain before passing out. Now, you may wonder why vomit stuck out in my mind enough for me to mention it, but it’s just one more example of her atypical UF heroine behavior. She didn’t gracefully get beat up and still manage to not break a nail. Maddy had some knock-down-drag-out fights and she didn’t always win on her own. She doesn’t come out of the fight with her pride untarnished either. Some of those people cleaned her clock! But I liked it because it was way more believable than an invincible bad ass.
I really loved Maddy’s relationship with Beezle. He was so cute and protective. He was just like a grumpy teddy bear that you wanted to cuddle! His interactions with the people who interacted with Maddy were a lot of fun too. I love when characters have that wise talking sidekick, like Bob in the Harry Dresden series.
This is a UF that actually felt like a UF instead of leaning toward a PNR. There was the beginning of a possible romantic relationship, but that was just a small focus in Maddy’s new life. The most sexual contact you’re going to get is a kiss or two. I didn’t mind though—I actually think it made the book better.
The author did a good job of hooking my interest into Gabriel though. The things that we learned about his past made him very sympathetic—especially because he doesn’t seem to recognize that his life should be any different. Also, the reality that they face with Maddy’s new political position makes me invested in seeing them work it out. I’d probably root for them on pure principle even if I didn’t like them together just to thwart a certain someone who thinks that he can rule Maddy’s life now no matter what.
I really liked the details of the world. Maddy’s job really interested me. I especially was intrigued by the politics of it. How interesting! The new political world that she has stepped into also seems like it’ll be quite fascinating to learn more about. The only real complaint I had about this book was the lack of world building. Don’t get me wrong, I understood her world and I enjoyed it, but there was just something missing for me in the development of it. Possibly the author will add depth as the series unfolds a la Kate Daniels.
The only warning I would give is for those that do not enjoy books that play with how bad Lucifer actually is. If you don’t enjoy anything but the traditional role of Hell and fallen angels you might just want to pass on this one. They weren’t presented as boy scouts or anything, but they weren’t quite as reviled as some might prefer. So be warned!
That leads to one last comment I’d like to make about the author’s style. She had a very clean writing style with the occasional flip into a more descriptive, powerful style. I also really liked the way the angels were portrayed as beautiful, but it was almost a terrifying beauty.
pg. 32:
...opened her eyes to find the dark angel blocking out the sky, and all she could see was his awful beauty, haloed in starshine and moonlight, and his black burning eyes. He whispered her name, and his voice wound into her ear and down her throat and under her ribs, and she knew what he had come for.
I just loved the way it was written!
I urge all of you who are interested to go grab a copy of this book and try it out for yourself. Hopefully it works as well for you as it did for me!
Favorite Quote:
pg. 100
His dark eyes were lit by starshine, and I felt I was falling again into the heart of the universe. Not by some spell of Gabriel's, but by my own foolish wants and needs. He had kissed me to save me--this much I understood. But my heart, my very lonely heart, ached for what I had never known before.
December 6, 2010
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, and stupid! She supposedly has been on her own since the age of 13 (I’ll come to that later) but manages to dive into one dangerous situation after another without any forethought. Then, when she gets beat up, bruised, and tossed around, she whines about it- non-stop.
• She is a virgin. Now, do not get me wrong. That in itself is NOT a bad thing at all. No, in fact, since the book was not focused on puncturing her “maidenhead” (can you tell I’ve been reading some historical romance recently), it was nice to have Maddy as a virgin without further explanation. HOWEVER, she sure did not act like a virgin with Gabriel. She goes from “who the heck are you and I don’t trust you” to “take me Gabriel”. The explanation given why Maddy would go from mistrust to lust was a bust (I couldn’t help myself) aka “very under-developed”.
• She is a virgin. Yes, I know this is a repeat, so sue me. A scene bugged me about a particular demon smelling her virginity. Now, I’ve read a lot of UF and I’ve seen this before in books but this particular demon has a particular relationship to Maddy (which I can’t say-spoiler) and the entire scene was gross, and as far as I know (at least in book 1), smelling her virginity seemed unnecessary to the story.
• Background info. There were so many gaps in this story. Some of the gaps were filled in eventually but the more the author tried to fill in the gaps, the more the story seemed to lose its way.
• She has been on her own since 13! This was casually mentioned as if it was no big deal. I felt the author missed some serious background info by not diving into this other than the casual reference.
• The writing. Here is an example-
“His face was very close and I was careful not to look directly into his eyes. I did not want to fall into starshine again and have my will sucked out of me. The pressure on my wrists was firm, but he wasn’t hurting me. I struggled even though it was clear he could hold me there all day without sweating.”
The writing comes across so mechanical or technical. The author wants me to be in Maddy’s head but I feel like I’m reading a technical manual instead of the thoughts and feelings of a girl struggling.
Ok, so I had many problems with this book but I’m still giving it two stars. Why? Because I managed to finish it and the last 10 or so pages were not that bad. I know everyone else is loving this book and I feel a bit left out but I’ll remain odd man out (ok, odd woman out) on this one and not continue with this series.
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, and stupid! She supposedly has been on her own since the age of 13 (I’ll come to that later) but manages to dive into one dangerous situation after another without any forethought. Then, when she gets beat up, bruised, and tossed around, she whines about it- non-stop.
• She is a virgin. Now, do not get me wrong. That in itself is NOT a bad thing at all. No, in fact, since the book was not focused on puncturing her “maidenhead” (can you tell I’ve been reading some historical romance recently), it was nice to have Maddy as a virgin without further explanation. HOWEVER, she sure did not act like a virgin with Gabriel. She goes from “who the heck are you and I don’t trust you” to “take me Gabriel”. The explanation given why Maddy would go from mistrust to lust was a bust (I couldn’t help myself) aka “very under-developed”.
• She is a virgin. Yes, I know this is a repeat, so sue me. A scene bugged me about a particular demon smelling her virginity. Now, I’ve read a lot of UF and I’ve seen this before in books but this particular demon has a particular relationship to Maddy (which I can’t say-spoiler) and the entire scene was gross, and as far as I know (at least in book 1), smelling her virginity seemed unnecessary to the story.
• Background info. There were so many gaps in this story. Some of the gaps were filled in eventually but the more the author tried to fill in the gaps, the more the story seemed to lose its way.
• She has been on her own since 13! This was casually mentioned as if it was no big deal. I felt the author missed some serious background info by not diving into this other than the casual reference.
• The writing. Here is an example-
“His face was very close and I was careful not to look directly into his eyes. I did not want to fall into starshine again and have my will sucked out of me. The pressure on my wrists was firm, but he wasn’t hurting me. I struggled even though it was clear he could hold me there all day without sweating.”
The writing comes across so mechanical or technical. The author wants me to be in Maddy’s head but I feel like I’m reading a technical manual instead of the thoughts and feelings of a girl struggling.
Ok, so I had many problems with this book but I’m still giving it two stars. Why? Because I managed to finish it and the last 10 or so pages were not that bad. I know everyone else is loving this book and I feel a bit left out but I’ll remain odd man out (ok, odd woman out) on this one and not continue with this series.
June 11, 2019
NOPE! The opening scene completely turned me off of this book. It makes the main character look like a terrible person and a total douchebag to boot. I'm sorry but this kind of thing you just can't win a reader back from. DNF
September 10, 2018
I went in with low expectations and ended up liking this book. There’s a lot going on, fast pace, and new things popping up all the time. Lots of villains & dead bodies.
August 10, 2016
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's soul to ease, but she was too busy, so now this poor lady can NEVER cross over.
Needless to say this made me hate the main character right away.
Her boss is an unnessisary jerk and a stereotypical middle management a-hole. Too over done. And how do they all survive/ keep this building running if there is no money in this job? None of this was explained.
Throw in a gargoyle for the fun of it who has the worst voice ever if your listening to the audio book version. If not just imagine chipmunks who have smoked for a hundred years. He never leaves the house because he's protecting some kind of portal.. except for all the times he goes out with her...
Then, the dark looming guy/Angel (of course named Gabriel) shows up and they quickly decide they can't keep their arms off each other, even though they barely get along, but they're hot so its ok. But its not ok because she's a virgin and he is guaranteed to impregnate everytime he has sex because of some weird devil curse that makes his semen immune to every form on contraceptive. I guess that even if she's on the pill, his semen will just yank the egg out of her fallopian tube and carry it along to the uterus. They tear through condoms and will shoot straight through your diaphram. Heck, even if you take your uterus out they just set up show elsewhere hahahahahah
Somewhere around this time I ripped the audio book from my car stereo because my hysterical laughter was making it very hard to drive.
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's soul to ease, but she was too busy, so now this poor lady can NEVER cross over.
Needless to say this made me hate the main character right away.
Her boss is an unnessisary jerk and a stereotypical middle management a-hole. Too over done. And how do they all survive/ keep this building running if there is no money in this job? None of this was explained.
Throw in a gargoyle for the fun of it who has the worst voice ever if your listening to the audio book version. If not just imagine chipmunks who have smoked for a hundred years. He never leaves the house because he's protecting some kind of portal.. except for all the times he goes out with her...
Then, the dark looming guy/Angel (of course named Gabriel) shows up and they quickly decide they can't keep their arms off each other, even though they barely get along, but they're hot so its ok. But its not ok because she's a virgin and he is guaranteed to impregnate everytime he has sex because of some weird devil curse that makes his semen immune to every form on contraceptive. I guess that even if she's on the pill, his semen will just yank the egg out of her fallopian tube and carry it along to the uterus. They tear through condoms and will shoot straight through your diaphram. Heck, even if you take your uterus out they just set up show elsewhere hahahahahah
Somewhere around this time I ripped the audio book from my car stereo because my hysterical laughter was making it very hard to drive.
August 31, 2020
3.5 Stars for Black Wings: Black Wings Series, Book 1 (audiobook) by Christina Henry read by Coleen Marlo. The story was ok. I just prefer some others in this genre. I don’t think I’ll continue on in this series.
March 9, 2015
Buddy-read with Aly. Sorry it hasn't worked out for me :( maybe next time ;)
Actual Rating: 1.5/5
I went ahead with no expectations. I skimmed the summary, seen it was something about angels/demons and I’ve began reading. And what a headache this one gave me (sadly).
The idea behind the book is very creative and, dare I say, colorful. It combines a lot of supernatural creatures and the so called hierarchy is quite... interesting. But nothing past that impressed me. It is another creation to the pile of books that have a good idea as base, but the execution is poor (and it kills it).
It starts off without much introduction. The main character, Madeline, tells us things while whining about her job and busy schedule. Information falls around like scattered snowflakes. It isn’t complicated to put things together, but it is messy. I was about to complain about it, but then I got further into the book… when it turned into the Merry-Land of Info-Dumps. Everything was explained in dialogue blocks that felt much like a Live Q&A session. Big disappointment there. Too much telling and not showing.
Let me break my rant down in points:
1.Info-Dumps written much like Q&A sessions (as stated before).
2.Insta-Everything.
•They barely knew each other, having met few days before… And Madeline was ready to jump Gabriel’s bones. Just… what? You barely know the guy, you were so suspicious of him, he proves to know stuff about you, stuff he doesn’t want to share because of reasons… and you still want to jump his bones because you’re a 32 year old virgin. Wow. Just wow.
•In the span of less than thirty pages the MC is made a very special supernatural being with powers that no one has seen before. Seriously?
3.The classic case of forbidden love in YA.
•I can’t be with you because of everything, but I love you so much and I lust for you so hard that I can’t control myself unless you tell me ‘no’. I’m so sick of seeing this trend in books. So. Sick. Dude! Get a hold of yourself!
4.She’s 32… She’s 32?! I went on for half a book thinking she was 16 or so! She acts like a spoiled brat that mouths-off to everyone. I see no maturity in the character, none what so ever. 32 is just a number. She’s not that old. She makes some other characters in YA seem like grannie compared to her (teenage characters, mind you). Besides, she spent a good part of the book telling people not to treat her like a child, but, I’m going to be honest, I can see why they treated her so :) I don’t blame them, not really.
5.Childish court of supernatural being. Just like in another series I’ve read recently The Iron King, the court is like a cartoon version of such thing. Everyone is like “my kingdom, my rules, if I want to do something I will invent a law that will allow me to do it”. Something like that. Ugh… How about ‘no’?
Besides those, there’s Gabriel’s last name “Angeloscuro”. Something bothered me about it… as if it was screaming at me “look, it’s an angel of darkness! He will be the love interest because he oozes bad-boy that’s soft on the inside!”. Eeek! :|
Overall, this book had potential, but it became a train-wreck after a few pages. There was little to no mystery, everything was so predictable, and obvious, and silly! I had a hard time taking things seriously at times. It felt like reading the cartoon version of a more serious story. I’m sorry I didn’t connect with it, but I couldn’t. I even skimmed through the last quarter or the book; it just lost my interest.
Maybe I’ll have better luck next time :)
September 28, 2013
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 favorite heroine of all the adult urban fantasy books I have read.
"So if Gabriel defeats you in combat, you'll run and tattle?" I tutted. "Not exactly the most demonic response ever."
Gabriel Angelosguro is Madeline's love interest and at the beginning I likes him, I thought right away he was gonna be one of those swoon worthy guys that I could drool over, but I was wrong. As we got farther and farther into the book I lost interest in Gabriel and I don't really care for him that much. I wouldn't care so much if Madeline and Gabriel got together or not. I think I feel this way, because of the direction the book went after I started to like him a bit.
J.B Bennett is Madeline's boss and according to her a complete jackass. At the beginning of the book I kind of hated J.B, but as soon as we got more and more into the book I started to actually like J.B, yea I know will wonders exist. At the ending we know J.B.'s intentions with Madeline and it made me want to know more about this character, because we find out some stuff that he is a bit similar to Madeline in a way of her growing powers. I am thinking I may just like this guy.
Azazel is Madeline's long lost father and I hate him. Plain and simple. I have reasons being that he has not been in Madeline's life ever where Katherine, Madeline's mother had to care for her all her life and now when Madeline goes to visit Azazel he thinks he has the right to tell her how her life is going to be know and what he wants her to do just because he is her father. He just really pisses me off and I don't care for him.
Nathaniel is Madeline's so-called fiance and he is 100X worse than J.B's attitude in the beginning. Nathaniel can takes the Gold and Metal for being Jackass of the year. What I hate about him is that he thinks he is better than everyone else and like Madeline I am disgusted with him and why the hell would I want to wed this creep. I would rather die. But Madeline being Madeline is determined to find a way out of this wedding.
I liked the plot. It was jam-packed action which I love. I liked a book with action. I had one problem with the book and after some reviews I have read I am not the only one who thinks this. After getting through middle to end I felt like I was reading a young adult novel. I mean seriously the stuff with Gabriel, her father, finance, all screamed, "THIS IS A YOUNG ADULT NOVEL". It made me kind of upset too, because I read a book exactly like this and I felt I was reading the same book except in the adult urban fantasy universe.
I am really hoping that that will change in the second book. I don't want to feel like I am reading a young adult book when I am suppose to be reading a adult urban fantasy book. I think what seemed so young adult-ish to me when why Gabriel and Madeline could not be together, plus there romance and her father controlling her life.
Overall this book was really good and I still enjoyed it. I am excited to see what happens in the second book in the Madeline Black Series, Black Night. The cover is amazing and I am thinking it is going to be great. I hope that the next book is longer than this book, because come on, 295 is just not enough. I need more Madeline Black!
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 favorite heroine of all the adult urban fantasy books I have read.
"So if Gabriel defeats you in combat, you'll run and tattle?" I tutted. "Not exactly the most demonic response ever."
Gabriel Angelosguro is Madeline's love interest and at the beginning I likes him, I thought right away he was gonna be one of those swoon worthy guys that I could drool over, but I was wrong. As we got farther and farther into the book I lost interest in Gabriel and I don't really care for him that much. I wouldn't care so much if Madeline and Gabriel got together or not. I think I feel this way, because of the direction the book went after I started to like him a bit.
J.B Bennett is Madeline's boss and according to her a complete jackass. At the beginning of the book I kind of hated J.B, but as soon as we got more and more into the book I started to actually like J.B, yea I know will wonders exist. At the ending we know J.B.'s intentions with Madeline and it made me want to know more about this character, because we find out some stuff that he is a bit similar to Madeline in a way of her growing powers. I am thinking I may just like this guy.
Azazel is Madeline's long lost father and I hate him. Plain and simple. I have reasons being that he has not been in Madeline's life ever where Katherine, Madeline's mother had to care for her all her life and now when Madeline goes to visit Azazel he thinks he has the right to tell her how her life is going to be know and what he wants her to do just because he is her father. He just really pisses me off and I don't care for him.
Nathaniel is Madeline's so-called fiance and he is 100X worse than J.B's attitude in the beginning. Nathaniel can takes the Gold and Metal for being Jackass of the year. What I hate about him is that he thinks he is better than everyone else and like Madeline I am disgusted with him and why the hell would I want to wed this creep. I would rather die. But Madeline being Madeline is determined to find a way out of this wedding.
I liked the plot. It was jam-packed action which I love. I liked a book with action. I had one problem with the book and after some reviews I have read I am not the only one who thinks this. After getting through middle to end I felt like I was reading a young adult novel. I mean seriously the stuff with Gabriel, her father, finance, all screamed, "THIS IS A YOUNG ADULT NOVEL". It made me kind of upset too, because I read a book exactly like this and I felt I was reading the same book except in the adult urban fantasy universe.
I am really hoping that that will change in the second book. I don't want to feel like I am reading a young adult book when I am suppose to be reading a adult urban fantasy book. I think what seemed so young adult-ish to me when why Gabriel and Madeline could not be together, plus there romance and her father controlling her life.
Overall this book was really good and I still enjoyed it. I am excited to see what happens in the second book in the Madeline Black Series, Black Night. The cover is amazing and I am thinking it is going to be great. I hope that the next book is longer than this book, because come on, 295 is just not enough. I need more Madeline Black!
January 27, 2011
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 fate. Being an agent of death is passed on from parent to child upon death. So if your Mum kicks the bucket, congrats kid your hired.
-They're obligated to perform the service, that makes normal working hours impossible. But aren't paid, so have to find quirky side jobs/methods to make ends meat.
- They both have pushy Bosses. Though George's indulgent often fatherly Rube seems preferable, to Maddy gorgeous but pain in the ass JB.
That's where the similarities end. This book could have easily continued to follow suit with what I expected. Maddy might of uncovered some conspiracy, recruited her kooky friends into the investigation, experienced some supernatural amateur sleuth hi-jinks, became part of an ever convenient love triangle, and eventually saved the day a little wiser for the experience. Now despite my glib summary, if that's the way the book had gone I would've been a happy camper. But it wouldn't have left a lasting impression.
Black wings on the other hand is like 2 books in one. I really thought I knew where 'it' was going. But boy was I wrong because monstrous nephilim, the Grand Poobah Lucifer himself, possession, a creepy almost incestuous fallen angel tree, and shifty/intricate demon court politics in hell...er I mean the Kingdom of Morningstar; was not it. But hot damn was it awesome.
I especially liked the way Lucifer and the other fallen angels are portrayed. They're neither Mr.Rogers friendly uber seducers, nor do they seem mindlessly evil/cruel. And instead are frighteningly non-human in their thinking/behavior, extremely domineering, tolerate no disrespect/slights, and yet are capable of affection/moments of kindness (well....to a degree lol). Add to that, at times the prose was downright decadent.
I liked the 1st 40% of Black Wings, but the latter 60% was LOVE. IMO a fantastic series debut, I can't wait to see how this story progresses. I'll leave ya, with one last quote.
If that's not badass, I don't know what is. = )
- 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 fate. Being an agent of death is passed on from parent to child upon death. So if your Mum kicks the bucket, congrats kid your hired.
-They're obligated to perform the service, that makes normal working hours impossible. But aren't paid, so have to find quirky side jobs/methods to make ends meat.
- They both have pushy Bosses. Though George's indulgent often fatherly Rube seems preferable, to Maddy gorgeous but pain in the ass JB.
That's where the similarities end. This book could have easily continued to follow suit with what I expected. Maddy might of uncovered some conspiracy, recruited her kooky friends into the investigation, experienced some supernatural amateur sleuth hi-jinks, became part of an ever convenient love triangle, and eventually saved the day a little wiser for the experience. Now despite my glib summary, if that's the way the book had gone I would've been a happy camper. But it wouldn't have left a lasting impression.
Black wings on the other hand is like 2 books in one. I really thought I knew where 'it' was going. But boy was I wrong because monstrous nephilim, the Grand Poobah Lucifer himself, possession, a creepy almost incestuous fallen angel tree, and shifty/intricate demon court politics in hell...er I mean the Kingdom of Morningstar; was not it. But hot damn was it awesome.
I especially liked the way Lucifer and the other fallen angels are portrayed. They're neither Mr.Rogers friendly uber seducers, nor do they seem mindlessly evil/cruel. And instead are frighteningly non-human in their thinking/behavior, extremely domineering, tolerate no disrespect/slights, and yet are capable of affection/moments of kindness (well....to a degree lol). Add to that, at times the prose was downright decadent.
Two thousand miles had passed beneath her feet, and many villages, as she left the green lands and walked into the dessert. she walked, searching for her lover, every step bringing her closer to ash and cloud covered gray mountains - The Forbidden Lands. She walked, always hearing his voice in her ear: "come to me. Come to me. Come to me." She did not care where her steps led so long as he was there at the end of it all
I liked the 1st 40% of Black Wings, but the latter 60% was LOVE. IMO a fantastic series debut, I can't wait to see how this story progresses. I'll leave ya, with one last quote.
I had no magic, and then all of a sudden I felt something enormous surge out of me, like a bomb going off. There was this burst of white light that sort of burned through my skin. He dropped me, and when I looked up at him I saw whatever had come out of me had melted away his skin
If that's not badass, I don't know what is. = )
October 25, 2020
I never expect dark fantasy to have this horny romance plot but then it always happens and I’m surprised and offended
April 20, 2019
Ça fait un moment que je n’ai pas lu de bit lit, et j’ai bien aimé replonger dans un univers complexe. Je viens de voir que la série, déjà finie en VO, date de 2010,donc je comprends mieux pourquoi j’aime lol L’univers est riche, ça part un peu dans tous les sens, et l’héroïne n’arrête pas de se faire tabasser, mais j’ai bien accroché et je suivrai la saga.
February 6, 2011
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 fine. Maddy takes in all of the changes in her life much too easily, is always the one to figure out the connections, but so goes the UF novel. At least her sudden abilities, and ability to use those abilities, is explained. And I liked the ending. There was a good set-up for the next book that peaked my interest. And I agree, when everything else is a mess, there's nothing else to do but order Chinese food. My motto too!
March 25, 2019
J'ai beaucoup apprécié cette histoire et l'univers créé par l'auteur même si tout se déroule un peu vite. J'ai aimé les personnages (mention spéciale pour Beezle, la gargouille fan de chocolat et de pop-corn). Un seul bémol : la traduction qui est parfois un peu trop littérale. Ce qui donne des phrases bizarres. Exemple : "shake hands" est traduit par "se secouer les mains" au lieu de "se serrer la main". L'auteur américaine aurait auto-édité son livre en version française, j'aurais pu comprendre. Mais de la part d'une maison d'édition expérimentée ce n'est pas professionnel.
October 11, 2010
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 the "agent" title from her deceased mother. They escort the newly dead to a door that takes them to another world. On top of an intense job- her boss is riding her back, she's got new powers and she is in desperate need of a new tenant. Can she handle all this change at once? Maddy is majorly kick ass with a sweet vulnerability that makes her likable and easy to relate to. And things are finally turning around for her when a new tenant walks in ready to pay the rent... or so she thought. Everything spins out of control pretty quickly with dead bodies and demons piling up all around her- which only means one thing. It is time to uncover the truth behind her heritage and slaughter some bad guys.
The world Henry created is incredibly believable. The villains are scary bad-asses and the heroine is gutsy. The best part of it all is her best friend/Gargoyle, Beezle. He is snarky, insecure and over protective- absolutely adorable in description. Ah, and before I forget- the sexual tension between our Madeline and Gabriel spills off the pages.
I highly recommend this novel to anyone that likes Urban Fantasy. Black Wings is intense, dark and full of surprises. I am waiting with great expectation the next novel in this series, Black Night. Get this book!!!
Maddy lives in an alternate-Chicago where the Agents of Death have their main office. Maddy has inherited the "agent" title from her deceased mother. They escort the newly dead to a door that takes them to another world. On top of an intense job- her boss is riding her back, she's got new powers and she is in desperate need of a new tenant. Can she handle all this change at once? Maddy is majorly kick ass with a sweet vulnerability that makes her likable and easy to relate to. And things are finally turning around for her when a new tenant walks in ready to pay the rent... or so she thought. Everything spins out of control pretty quickly with dead bodies and demons piling up all around her- which only means one thing. It is time to uncover the truth behind her heritage and slaughter some bad guys.
The world Henry created is incredibly believable. The villains are scary bad-asses and the heroine is gutsy. The best part of it all is her best friend/Gargoyle, Beezle. He is snarky, insecure and over protective- absolutely adorable in description. Ah, and before I forget- the sexual tension between our Madeline and Gabriel spills off the pages.
I highly recommend this novel to anyone that likes Urban Fantasy. Black Wings is intense, dark and full of surprises. I am waiting with great expectation the next novel in this series, Black Night. Get this book!!!
April 12, 2019
http://www.my-bo0ks.com/2019/04/black...
J'étais vraiment curieuse de découvrir Black Wings. D'abord parce que son résumé me donnait vraiment envie d'en savoir plus mais aussi parce que les romans sur les anges, faucheurs, démons et cie ont toujours ce petit truc qui fait que j'ai vraiment envie d'en lire toujours plus.
Black Wings, c'est l'histoire de Madeline ou Maddy, qui est une agente. Son rôle est de guider jusqu'à la porte les âmes afin de quitter la terre sereinement. Un boulot assez solitaire et qui paye tout juste les factures. Fort heureusement, elle peut compter sur l'aide de Beezle, une gargouille grincheuse mais aussi Patrick son collègue et meilleur ami. Les ennuies vont commencer en même temps que l'arrivée de son charmant mais mystérieux locataire. Maddy va vite regretter sa petite vie "tranquille".
Lorsque j'ai commencé ma lecture, je dois dire que j'avais plutôt un bon feeling avec l'héroine, Maddy. Elle a de l'humour, une personnalité assez forte et elle ne se laisse pas marcher sur les pieds. Son statut d'agente, ses dons et surtout sa lignée font d'elle un personnage d'autant plus intriguant. J'ai aussi beaucoup aimé Beezle, la gargouille, qui j'ai trouvé attachante malgré son côté grincheux et qui n'en fait qu'à sa tête. Pour ce qui est de Gabriel, le locataire - du moins en apparence - je l'aime bien mais je trouve qu'il regroupe à lui tout seul pas mal de cliché de la bit-lit. Enfin, concernant les autres personnages, dont on ne sait pas grand chose encore, je reste sur la réserve et attends de voir la suite.
Black Wings aborde donc le thème des anges, des faucheurs mais aussi des démons, des néphilims, bref, toutes sortes de créatures aillées qui captivent le lecteur dès le début. J'aime assez l'ensemble, cet univers à la fois complexe et fascinant mais, car il y a un mais, j'ai trouvé le tout assez brouillon et rapide. Surtout ce dernier point. Rapide. L'auteure nous plonge sans pincette dans son monde et je dois dire qu'il faut s'accrocher pour rester pleinement dans l'histoire.
Le rythme du roman y est pour beaucoup. Car comme je vous le disais, cela va très vite. L'histoire de ce premier tome se déroule sur cinq jours et autant vous dire que le lecteur n'a pas le temps de s'ennuyer. Une mission par-ci, une mission par-là, des attaques, des rebondissements, des retournements de situation, bref, Maddy, notre héroïne - comme nous, pauvre lecteur - devons retenir notre souffle tout du long. C'est à la fois positif et à la fois très perturbant car au final, je n'ai pas créé de lien ou d'attachement avec les personnages. Ce qui m'a le pus embêtée c'est aussi la facilité avec laquelle elle gère ses pouvoirs, un ou deux coups d'essais et hop, la voilà d'attaque à éliminer tout le monde... côté crédibilité, on repassera. Enfin, avouons-le, la romance qui s'installe (mignonne et sympa) va beaucoup trop vite...
Dans son ensemble, ce premier tome de Black Wings a beaucoup de potentiel. L'univers est riche et prometteur, l'histoire regorge de créatures diverses et variées et enfin on sent que les choses vont rapidement tourner au vinaigre. J'émets quelques réserves quant à la suite car comme bien souvent en bit-lit, les clichés ont la dent dure et j'ai peur que Black Wings ne s'émancipe pas des romans du genre. Enfin, l'arrivée d'un potentiel triangle amoureux me hérisse au plus au point... Éperons que cela ne gâche pas la suite des aventures de Maddy car je suis curieuse de découvrir la suite.
J'étais vraiment curieuse de découvrir Black Wings. D'abord parce que son résumé me donnait vraiment envie d'en savoir plus mais aussi parce que les romans sur les anges, faucheurs, démons et cie ont toujours ce petit truc qui fait que j'ai vraiment envie d'en lire toujours plus.
Black Wings, c'est l'histoire de Madeline ou Maddy, qui est une agente. Son rôle est de guider jusqu'à la porte les âmes afin de quitter la terre sereinement. Un boulot assez solitaire et qui paye tout juste les factures. Fort heureusement, elle peut compter sur l'aide de Beezle, une gargouille grincheuse mais aussi Patrick son collègue et meilleur ami. Les ennuies vont commencer en même temps que l'arrivée de son charmant mais mystérieux locataire. Maddy va vite regretter sa petite vie "tranquille".
Lorsque j'ai commencé ma lecture, je dois dire que j'avais plutôt un bon feeling avec l'héroine, Maddy. Elle a de l'humour, une personnalité assez forte et elle ne se laisse pas marcher sur les pieds. Son statut d'agente, ses dons et surtout sa lignée font d'elle un personnage d'autant plus intriguant. J'ai aussi beaucoup aimé Beezle, la gargouille, qui j'ai trouvé attachante malgré son côté grincheux et qui n'en fait qu'à sa tête. Pour ce qui est de Gabriel, le locataire - du moins en apparence - je l'aime bien mais je trouve qu'il regroupe à lui tout seul pas mal de cliché de la bit-lit. Enfin, concernant les autres personnages, dont on ne sait pas grand chose encore, je reste sur la réserve et attends de voir la suite.
Black Wings aborde donc le thème des anges, des faucheurs mais aussi des démons, des néphilims, bref, toutes sortes de créatures aillées qui captivent le lecteur dès le début. J'aime assez l'ensemble, cet univers à la fois complexe et fascinant mais, car il y a un mais, j'ai trouvé le tout assez brouillon et rapide. Surtout ce dernier point. Rapide. L'auteure nous plonge sans pincette dans son monde et je dois dire qu'il faut s'accrocher pour rester pleinement dans l'histoire.
Le rythme du roman y est pour beaucoup. Car comme je vous le disais, cela va très vite. L'histoire de ce premier tome se déroule sur cinq jours et autant vous dire que le lecteur n'a pas le temps de s'ennuyer. Une mission par-ci, une mission par-là, des attaques, des rebondissements, des retournements de situation, bref, Maddy, notre héroïne - comme nous, pauvre lecteur - devons retenir notre souffle tout du long. C'est à la fois positif et à la fois très perturbant car au final, je n'ai pas créé de lien ou d'attachement avec les personnages. Ce qui m'a le pus embêtée c'est aussi la facilité avec laquelle elle gère ses pouvoirs, un ou deux coups d'essais et hop, la voilà d'attaque à éliminer tout le monde... côté crédibilité, on repassera. Enfin, avouons-le, la romance qui s'installe (mignonne et sympa) va beaucoup trop vite...
Dans son ensemble, ce premier tome de Black Wings a beaucoup de potentiel. L'univers est riche et prometteur, l'histoire regorge de créatures diverses et variées et enfin on sent que les choses vont rapidement tourner au vinaigre. J'émets quelques réserves quant à la suite car comme bien souvent en bit-lit, les clichés ont la dent dure et j'ai peur que Black Wings ne s'émancipe pas des romans du genre. Enfin, l'arrivée d'un potentiel triangle amoureux me hérisse au plus au point... Éperons que cela ne gâche pas la suite des aventures de Maddy car je suis curieuse de découvrir la suite.
May 8, 2018
Not bad creatively it's ok abit short on details. characters are good well defined.
November 29, 2010
Finally an urban fantasy novel that is the way I like them. I nearly gave up on them after some disapointments in the last few months but Black Wings reminded me why I love this genre. It has a great world-building, a funny and witty heroine and a sidekick made of perfect. And yes, it also has a sexy hero- that was absolutely the icing on the top.
Black Wings is about Madeline "Maddy" Black, an agent of death. Her job is to deliver the souls of the newly deceased to the door that leads to the afterlife. She inherited that job from her mom and to say she's happy would be an overstatement. How satisfying can a job be if it doesn't pay for food or anything at all? She's a loner and not at all as socialized as she wished to be. Her independance isn't her choice but she does what she has to in order to survive. She has a wonderful sense of humor and made me snort more than once.
But with the arrival of Gabriel her whole life is turned upside down. Luckily Maddy is a strong woman and handles all these rather bad news very well. She tries to keep it together and most of the time she does. Although I loved how some things made her lose her temper.
Gabriel is a rather mysterious character at first. Everything about him seems to be a bit "shadowy" and all my inner alarm bells started to scream. Yes it seems that those are my hot guy detectors. While the story progresses we get a better view of him as a person and I have to say I'm in love. His story made my heart bleed and I really would love to see him getting a well deserved HEA. Gabriel develops into Maddy's connection to the new world she's faced with, like a guide who shows her how to act and what to say, or even more important what NOT to say. ;) He really does his best to help her survive it.
And I have to tell you about Beezle, Maddy's gargoyle sidekick and probably her only real friend in this world. He is her roommate but actually more like her supernatural mini-dad. He's a protective little fellow and can really show some mean temper when he thinks that Maddy gets herself in too much trouble. But on the other hand he has a popcorn and chocolate addiction and is really decorative so I totally forgave him everything else. ;)
Black Wings is set in a rather complex world based on Christian mythology. I have to admit all my knowledge about this is taken out of other fiction novels so I'm probably more than under-qualified to judge the correctness. That's why I won't even try to do that. I was very intrigued by everything but at some points I was a bit swamped with information. After 3/4 of the book I even had to ask a friend if I missed something. Perhaps a glossary would have helped keeping track of the mythological and political structure of this world.
I really liked the plot though. It is full of twists and surprising turns and will keep you glued to the pages. It made me nearly break my brain when I tried to figure it out. The story has a great structure and I already know I need to read more.
Black Wings is a wonderful debut novel. It showed me why I love urban fantasy- wonderful world-building, witty and funny convos and a sexy guy who leads through the story. I can't wait to get my hands on Black Night, book 2 in this series.
Black Wings is about Madeline "Maddy" Black, an agent of death. Her job is to deliver the souls of the newly deceased to the door that leads to the afterlife. She inherited that job from her mom and to say she's happy would be an overstatement. How satisfying can a job be if it doesn't pay for food or anything at all? She's a loner and not at all as socialized as she wished to be. Her independance isn't her choice but she does what she has to in order to survive. She has a wonderful sense of humor and made me snort more than once.
But with the arrival of Gabriel her whole life is turned upside down. Luckily Maddy is a strong woman and handles all these rather bad news very well. She tries to keep it together and most of the time she does. Although I loved how some things made her lose her temper.
Gabriel is a rather mysterious character at first. Everything about him seems to be a bit "shadowy" and all my inner alarm bells started to scream. Yes it seems that those are my hot guy detectors. While the story progresses we get a better view of him as a person and I have to say I'm in love. His story made my heart bleed and I really would love to see him getting a well deserved HEA. Gabriel develops into Maddy's connection to the new world she's faced with, like a guide who shows her how to act and what to say, or even more important what NOT to say. ;) He really does his best to help her survive it.
And I have to tell you about Beezle, Maddy's gargoyle sidekick and probably her only real friend in this world. He is her roommate but actually more like her supernatural mini-dad. He's a protective little fellow and can really show some mean temper when he thinks that Maddy gets herself in too much trouble. But on the other hand he has a popcorn and chocolate addiction and is really decorative so I totally forgave him everything else. ;)
Black Wings is set in a rather complex world based on Christian mythology. I have to admit all my knowledge about this is taken out of other fiction novels so I'm probably more than under-qualified to judge the correctness. That's why I won't even try to do that. I was very intrigued by everything but at some points I was a bit swamped with information. After 3/4 of the book I even had to ask a friend if I missed something. Perhaps a glossary would have helped keeping track of the mythological and political structure of this world.
I really liked the plot though. It is full of twists and surprising turns and will keep you glued to the pages. It made me nearly break my brain when I tried to figure it out. The story has a great structure and I already know I need to read more.
Black Wings is a wonderful debut novel. It showed me why I love urban fantasy- wonderful world-building, witty and funny convos and a sexy guy who leads through the story. I can't wait to get my hands on Black Night, book 2 in this series.
March 13, 2012
Reviewed by: Rabid Reads
The world that Christina Henry has begun to create with Black Wings is incredibly fascinating. You can tell that she put a lot of thought into it and then managed to convey it to readers extremely well too. I know that I was impressed by her world-building skills! Madeline Black was just okay for me as far as heroines go but the side characters really shine. I also took personal pleasure in the fact that the reapers’ head office is based out of Ottawa! I don’t know whether Christina has something against Canada’s capital or if she just thinks that were particularly “evil” but I got a good kick out of this little tidbit.
As I mentioned in my intro, I adored the world-building in this novel! Henry’s take on fallen angels, Hell, reapers, Lucifer and nephilim is unique and interesting. She incorporates a bit of old mythology and combines it with her own imaginings and the result is something that’s in a category all of its own. It actually reminded me a bit of the TV show Grimm, minus the angels of course (at least so far). The way that reapers are “made” is very similar.
Madeline Black didn’t own her role as the leading protagonist as well as she could have in my opinion. A lot of what she learns in Black Wings is as new to her as it is to us readers so maybe it’s just growing pains but then again, she’s been an Agent of Death since she was 13 so Black’s not a newbie in that department. I found her a little whiny for someone who’s supposedly in her 30’s and she accepts everything too easily. Gabriel wrongs her during their first meeting, never really apologizes or makes amends for his actions and yet Maddy forgives him almost instantaneously. Yes he’s hot but even good looks will only take you so far. Gabriel didn’t just make a little booboo, it was a BIG one. At least in my books it was. I’m a big believer in the “forgive and forget” motto but you have to at least *ask* for forgiveness to get the ball rolling.
I loooved Beezle the popcorn eating gargoyle! Black Wings is worth the read just for this little guy alone. He’s a great tension diffuser and manages to steal the show on several occasions. What I wouldn’t give to have my very own stone protector who shares my addiction to chocolate. Christina ends this first installment on a high note and throws in a few earth shattering revelations that’ll leave you with little choice but to read Black Night immediately. I found myself in one of those I need to know and I need to know NOW situations.
The world-building and side-characters in Black Wings are outstanding and make this book stand-out. Madeline Black’s personality left a little to be desired but Henry nailed two out of the three most important elements of a novel which is pretty darned good in my books! Fans of snarky, dark humor will enjoy this story and can look forward to a whole series worth of witty sarcasm! Both Black Night and Black Howl are already available for your reading pleasure.
The world that Christina Henry has begun to create with Black Wings is incredibly fascinating. You can tell that she put a lot of thought into it and then managed to convey it to readers extremely well too. I know that I was impressed by her world-building skills! Madeline Black was just okay for me as far as heroines go but the side characters really shine. I also took personal pleasure in the fact that the reapers’ head office is based out of Ottawa! I don’t know whether Christina has something against Canada’s capital or if she just thinks that were particularly “evil” but I got a good kick out of this little tidbit.
As I mentioned in my intro, I adored the world-building in this novel! Henry’s take on fallen angels, Hell, reapers, Lucifer and nephilim is unique and interesting. She incorporates a bit of old mythology and combines it with her own imaginings and the result is something that’s in a category all of its own. It actually reminded me a bit of the TV show Grimm, minus the angels of course (at least so far). The way that reapers are “made” is very similar.
Madeline Black didn’t own her role as the leading protagonist as well as she could have in my opinion. A lot of what she learns in Black Wings is as new to her as it is to us readers so maybe it’s just growing pains but then again, she’s been an Agent of Death since she was 13 so Black’s not a newbie in that department. I found her a little whiny for someone who’s supposedly in her 30’s and she accepts everything too easily. Gabriel wrongs her during their first meeting, never really apologizes or makes amends for his actions and yet Maddy forgives him almost instantaneously. Yes he’s hot but even good looks will only take you so far. Gabriel didn’t just make a little booboo, it was a BIG one. At least in my books it was. I’m a big believer in the “forgive and forget” motto but you have to at least *ask* for forgiveness to get the ball rolling.
I loooved Beezle the popcorn eating gargoyle! Black Wings is worth the read just for this little guy alone. He’s a great tension diffuser and manages to steal the show on several occasions. What I wouldn’t give to have my very own stone protector who shares my addiction to chocolate. Christina ends this first installment on a high note and throws in a few earth shattering revelations that’ll leave you with little choice but to read Black Night immediately. I found myself in one of those I need to know and I need to know NOW situations.
The world-building and side-characters in Black Wings are outstanding and make this book stand-out. Madeline Black’s personality left a little to be desired but Henry nailed two out of the three most important elements of a novel which is pretty darned good in my books! Fans of snarky, dark humor will enjoy this story and can look forward to a whole series worth of witty sarcasm! Both Black Night and Black Howl are already available for your reading pleasure.
January 3, 2015
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 Maddy's building. It's probably just a coincidence that as soon as he moves in, demons appear on the front lawn. But when an unholy monster is unleashed upon the streets of Chicago, Maddy discovers powers she never knew she possessed. Powers linked to a family legacy of tarnished halos.
Powers that place her dicectly between the light of Heaven and the fires of Hell...
I received this book curtesy of Rex Robot Reviews.
Black Wings is easily one of the best debut urban fantasy novels of the year. Henry has created an easily believable alternate-Chicago universe. Madeline Black is an Agent of Death with a paperwork-obsessed boss, a gargoyle for a best friend, and an apartment building in desperate need of a tenant. Being an Agent of Death is more of a fate-appointed position than a paying job, holding down a traditional 9 to 5 isn't exactly possible when you have to run out on a regular basis to help guide souls to the afterlife. When Gabriel Angeloscuro shows up, Maddy thinks that things may finally be looking up. But when a demon shows up and people start dying with no record of where their soul goes after death, Maddy starts getting suspicious. She must uncover some long-buried family secrets before she can discover the truth.
Maddy is a fantastically snarky character. She lives alone in an apartment building she inherited from her mother at the tender age of 13. Her best friend and protector is an adorable gargoyle named Beetle. Her boss is J.B., a paperwork hound and general jerk. And Gabriel is, well, gorgeous. Mysterious. Potentially dangerous. Of course Maddy is drawn to him. Family secrets, intrigue, and death seem to follow Maddy wherever she goes. It's just a great story.
If you enjoyed Nalini Singh's Guild Hunter series, you will enjoy Black Wings.
4.5 stars
http://amandasbooksandmore.blogspot.com/
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 Maddy's building. It's probably just a coincidence that as soon as he moves in, demons appear on the front lawn. But when an unholy monster is unleashed upon the streets of Chicago, Maddy discovers powers she never knew she possessed. Powers linked to a family legacy of tarnished halos.
Powers that place her dicectly between the light of Heaven and the fires of Hell...
I received this book curtesy of Rex Robot Reviews.
Black Wings is easily one of the best debut urban fantasy novels of the year. Henry has created an easily believable alternate-Chicago universe. Madeline Black is an Agent of Death with a paperwork-obsessed boss, a gargoyle for a best friend, and an apartment building in desperate need of a tenant. Being an Agent of Death is more of a fate-appointed position than a paying job, holding down a traditional 9 to 5 isn't exactly possible when you have to run out on a regular basis to help guide souls to the afterlife. When Gabriel Angeloscuro shows up, Maddy thinks that things may finally be looking up. But when a demon shows up and people start dying with no record of where their soul goes after death, Maddy starts getting suspicious. She must uncover some long-buried family secrets before she can discover the truth.
Maddy is a fantastically snarky character. She lives alone in an apartment building she inherited from her mother at the tender age of 13. Her best friend and protector is an adorable gargoyle named Beetle. Her boss is J.B., a paperwork hound and general jerk. And Gabriel is, well, gorgeous. Mysterious. Potentially dangerous. Of course Maddy is drawn to him. Family secrets, intrigue, and death seem to follow Maddy wherever she goes. It's just a great story.
If you enjoyed Nalini Singh's Guild Hunter series, you will enjoy Black Wings.
4.5 stars
http://amandasbooksandmore.blogspot.com/
November 27, 2010
Review courtesy of All Things Urban Fantasy
Grim Reapers may just be the new vampires. Consider all the books released this year with protagonists whose abilities were escorting/interacting with ghosts. Even just the ones reviewed here on ATUF: Death Most Definite, Deception, Embers & Sparks, Shade, The Downside Ghosts series…and now BLACK WINGS.
The mythology was my favorite part of BLACK WINGS. Imagine the Office Space version of the Grim Reaper business, complete with the boss from hell and more paperwork than even Lumbergh requires. Help a soul move on, then back to the office to fill out the forms in triplicate.
Grim Reaping isn’t all bad though, you get some wicked looking concealable black wings and invisibility powers. But being a Grim Reaper isn’t Maddy’s only problem. She’s suddenly come into a new set of powers that she can’t control or explain, and a bunch of demons want her dead for reasons that shock her (and delighted me).
The story was a nonstop action blast full of smart-alecky gargoyle guardians, devilishly handsome (and enigmatic) love interests, arrogant demons, wicked witches, and more jaw dropping revelations than a Jerry Spinger show. I barely had time to catch my breath between chapters, but it never felt like overkill.
My only complaint, and it’s kind of a biggie, was with Maddy. She’s thirty-two years old, but most of the time she acted closer to fifteen. Outbursts of temper were common place and she often had a shallow response to what should be very traumatic events. She bounced from one dangerous situation to the next and didn’t have the common sense to keep her mouth shut even though several lives depended on her.
Maddy’s immaturity aside, I really did like BLACK WINGS. The story was fantastic and the Grim Reaper/Demon mythology was top notch. The next Madeline Black book, BLACK NIGHT, will be out in Autumn 2011, and I’m already anticipating another excellent read.
Sexual Content: Kissing. References to sex. References to rape.
Grim Reapers may just be the new vampires. Consider all the books released this year with protagonists whose abilities were escorting/interacting with ghosts. Even just the ones reviewed here on ATUF: Death Most Definite, Deception, Embers & Sparks, Shade, The Downside Ghosts series…and now BLACK WINGS.
The mythology was my favorite part of BLACK WINGS. Imagine the Office Space version of the Grim Reaper business, complete with the boss from hell and more paperwork than even Lumbergh requires. Help a soul move on, then back to the office to fill out the forms in triplicate.
Grim Reaping isn’t all bad though, you get some wicked looking concealable black wings and invisibility powers. But being a Grim Reaper isn’t Maddy’s only problem. She’s suddenly come into a new set of powers that she can’t control or explain, and a bunch of demons want her dead for reasons that shock her (and delighted me).
The story was a nonstop action blast full of smart-alecky gargoyle guardians, devilishly handsome (and enigmatic) love interests, arrogant demons, wicked witches, and more jaw dropping revelations than a Jerry Spinger show. I barely had time to catch my breath between chapters, but it never felt like overkill.
My only complaint, and it’s kind of a biggie, was with Maddy. She’s thirty-two years old, but most of the time she acted closer to fifteen. Outbursts of temper were common place and she often had a shallow response to what should be very traumatic events. She bounced from one dangerous situation to the next and didn’t have the common sense to keep her mouth shut even though several lives depended on her.
Maddy’s immaturity aside, I really did like BLACK WINGS. The story was fantastic and the Grim Reaper/Demon mythology was top notch. The next Madeline Black book, BLACK NIGHT, will be out in Autumn 2011, and I’m already anticipating another excellent read.
Sexual Content: Kissing. References to sex. References to rape.
January 6, 2016
Great premise and there was lots of action but the heroine did something stupid which resulted in her being unconscious. Her head was 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, although I hate love triangles. I was mad that they created a fun gay character at the beginning who was almost immediately killed, and she barely even acknowledges 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 confronted by fallen angels, and her biggest problem with them is how controlling they are. She even refers to them just as "angels" despite the fact that that are fallen and differentiates between them and demons who shes says are evil. Huh? She mentions the archangel Michael as being good, and that heaven really exists, so presumably there's a reward for being good. But she has little fear around Lucifer and his brethren and keeps losing her temper. (Again not because they are unspeakably evil. It's because of all their stupid laws.)
This is clearly the Judeo-Christian mythos and if she's merely annoyed with it without acknowledging the terrible consequences of the wrong actions, then something is terribly wrong. For a much better series that deals with this topic in a more realistic way, read A Kiss Before the Apocalypse. (I am fine with straying from standard lore, but this didn't make sense. I'm not Christian--this isn't me beefing about my religion not being taken seriously or anything--it just doesn't make sense to me.)
I did enjoy it and plan to read the next one, but I need a little more emotion around the evil beings in her life.
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 confronted by fallen angels, and her biggest problem with them is how controlling they are. She even refers to them just as "angels" despite the fact that that are fallen and differentiates between them and demons who shes says are evil. Huh? She mentions the archangel Michael as being good, and that heaven really exists, so presumably there's a reward for being good. But she has little fear around Lucifer and his brethren and keeps losing her temper. (Again not because they are unspeakably evil. It's because of all their stupid laws.)
This is clearly the Judeo-Christian mythos and if she's merely annoyed with it without acknowledging the terrible consequences of the wrong actions, then something is terribly wrong. For a much better series that deals with this topic in a more realistic way, read A Kiss Before the Apocalypse. (I am fine with straying from standard lore, but this didn't make sense. I'm not Christian--this isn't me beefing about my religion not being taken seriously or anything--it just doesn't make sense to me.)
I did enjoy it and plan to read the next one, but I need a little more emotion around the evil beings in her life.
December 30, 2010
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 books by a few not so good books. That being said I am glad this book had been written this way , you really feel like your Maddy when you're reading her view point.
There isn't anything about this book I didn't like, Maddy, she is a strong woman but does show her vunerable side as well, Gabriel is the mysterious handsome man that flies into her world turning it completely upside down - all through the book you are left asking what exactly is he? Which I think adds to the mystic of him. And then there is Beezle who can't but love this sarcastic little gargoyle , who loves popcorn and chocolate. My kind of companion.
This book is a fast read, and though do to real life I didn't actually get going with it til last night- I couldn't put it down. I can't wait for the next book in the series , Black Night which is scheduled for release Autumn of 2011.
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 books by a few not so good books. That being said I am glad this book had been written this way , you really feel like your Maddy when you're reading her view point.
There isn't anything about this book I didn't like, Maddy, she is a strong woman but does show her vunerable side as well, Gabriel is the mysterious handsome man that flies into her world turning it completely upside down - all through the book you are left asking what exactly is he? Which I think adds to the mystic of him. And then there is Beezle who can't but love this sarcastic little gargoyle , who loves popcorn and chocolate. My kind of companion.
This book is a fast read, and though do to real life I didn't actually get going with it til last night- I couldn't put it down. I can't wait for the next book in the series , Black Night which is scheduled for release Autumn of 2011.
September 1, 2013
While this series might not be among my top 5 favorites, it's certainly a tie for 6th place along with a few others.
Madeline lives in Chicago and has inherited her position as a soul collector from her mother who died while Madeline was still a teenager. Leaving her fend for herself, with a cranky, trash talking, fast food loving gargoyle as her only company. For me, Beezle is one of the highlights of this book, as a matter of fact:-)
Between her soul collecting duties and her cranky boss, Madeline struggles to stay afloat economically, feed her greedy gargoyle and manage her property. Unfortunately she is also a virgin at the age of 32.
It just so happens that the mysteriously handsome stranger that moves in downstairs has ties to her unknown father, and he has decided it's time to bring his daughter into his world. A world that includes an arrogant fiancée, and an antiquated view on women and slavery that a modern and self reliant woman like Madeline, does not approve of. More of Madeline's interesting lineage is also revealed, and while her father may be powerful, her grandfather is off the scales scary. He too, is determined to bring Madeline into the fold, a fact that does not bode well for Madeline's future safety...
An interesting first book. Though I will say; Madeline certainly seems to attract a lot of men for a 32 year old spinster...
Madeline lives in Chicago and has inherited her position as a soul collector from her mother who died while Madeline was still a teenager. Leaving her fend for herself, with a cranky, trash talking, fast food loving gargoyle as her only company. For me, Beezle is one of the highlights of this book, as a matter of fact:-)
Between her soul collecting duties and her cranky boss, Madeline struggles to stay afloat economically, feed her greedy gargoyle and manage her property. Unfortunately she is also a virgin at the age of 32.
It just so happens that the mysteriously handsome stranger that moves in downstairs has ties to her unknown father, and he has decided it's time to bring his daughter into his world. A world that includes an arrogant fiancée, and an antiquated view on women and slavery that a modern and self reliant woman like Madeline, does not approve of. More of Madeline's interesting lineage is also revealed, and while her father may be powerful, her grandfather is off the scales scary. He too, is determined to bring Madeline into the fold, a fact that does not bode well for Madeline's future safety...
An interesting first book. Though I will say; Madeline certainly seems to attract a lot of men for a 32 year old spinster...
January 26, 2011
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 attention;) I am a dialogue loving reader and Henry delivered often:
"Frankly, demonic threats get a little boring after a while. It's always 'I'll pull your beating heart out of your chest' or 'I'll suck your eyeballs out of your skull'. They haven't had any new material in a couple millennia," Beezle said." (I did mention how much I love Beezle )
I love this visual:
"As I walked into the bedroom I saw Beezle exactly where I'd expected him to be-perched on my dresser, arms crossed, opening and closing his wings (like) an annoyed little metronome."
I am looking forward to the next book Black Night.
"Frankly, demonic threats get a little boring after a while. It's always 'I'll pull your beating heart out of your chest' or 'I'll suck your eyeballs out of your skull'. They haven't had any new material in a couple millennia," Beezle said." (I did mention how much I love Beezle )
I love this visual:
"As I walked into the bedroom I saw Beezle exactly where I'd expected him to be-perched on my dresser, arms crossed, opening and closing his wings (like) an annoyed little metronome."
I am looking forward to the next book Black Night.
November 8, 2013
Ah
Why did i rate this a 3 star?
What are my feelings towards this book?
It has left me like this
Why did i rate this a 3 star?
What are my feelings towards this book?
It has left me like this
February 14, 2015
A fresh take on urban fantasy and an enjoyable read
The mythology in this book mainly revolves around angels and demons. There are mention of vampires, werewolves, faeries, etc but I believe that is just set up for future novels as there are none in this one. Throughout the book Maddy is learning to control her new found magical powers and constantly getting her butt kicked, and occasionally kicking some butt herself. The best part of this book is her best friend and protector Beezle, a gargoyle. Beezle provides great comic relief all throughout the book
A lot of action but there could have been more on character development.
Oh well, can't have everything!
The mythology in this book mainly revolves around angels and demons. There are mention of vampires, werewolves, faeries, etc but I believe that is just set up for future novels as there are none in this one. Throughout the book Maddy is learning to control her new found magical powers and constantly getting her butt kicked, and occasionally kicking some butt herself. The best part of this book is her best friend and protector Beezle, a gargoyle. Beezle provides great comic relief all throughout the book
A lot of action but there could have been more on character development.
Oh well, can't have everything!
March 16, 2016
Rated 4.5
Loved the great start to this series. I don't want to be a virgin angel, and have to find out that you are more than you think that you are and have so much to learn. I can't wait to read the next book to see if Madeline will be able to change things and also get to have Gabriel all to herself. Off to find and reserve the next book :)
Loved the great start to this series. I don't want to be a virgin angel, and have to find out that you are more than you think that you are and have so much to learn. I can't wait to read the next book to see if Madeline will be able to change things and also get to have Gabriel all to herself. Off to find and reserve the next book :)
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