Fallen Angels series by J.R. Ward -> Starting June 5th, 2023

[Laura]

Chapters 1-14
(view spoiler)[


A bit of a slow start but I'm happy to be back in Jim's world
Cait's hairdresser scene was a little creepy especially when she went back for her earring and the guy didn't seem to recognize her. Was he possessed by Devina?

I don't like the singer. He's a player.
I don't think I'm far enough in yet to figure out what is going to happen. I do think Jim will lose this round since there are more books.
I'm happy to read about Sissy again but finding out she is dead has to be a shock.
The elevator scene with Cait is scary. I'm sure she will get out of it or Duke will help her. (hide spoiler)]

[Geri]

Good point about the hairdresser. I didn’t catch that. Devina is everywhere it seems!

[Geri]

Finished
(view spoiler)[
What a surprise! Duke and GB are fraternal twins. And my feeling that GB wasn’t as good of a guy as Cate thought, was definitely confirmed.

I like how things came full circle. Everyone at Sissy’s funeral. And the ending was exciting. Duke almost died and Cate killed GB.

You were right about Devina winning this round. Jim and Sissy definitely aren’t in a good place right now. But I do think they will be at the end of the last book.
(hide spoiler)]

I’m definitely up for finishing the series. How about mid to late September for the last book?

[Laura]

I'm up for finishing the series. Life is crazy right now. My son is on his 3rd fire shift in British Columbia. Fires are still raging out there. Constant worry about him.
Last week my boss was put on stress leave and we were already short staffed. I worked two days by myself and I have help this week but unsure what happens next week. I'm a bit stressed😵😵

[Laura]

I'll be back with my comments

[Geri]

Laura wrote: "I'm up for finishing the series. Life is crazy right now. My son is on his 3rd fire shift in British Columbia. Fires are still raging out there. Constant worry about him.
Last week my boss was put..."

Oh man, that has to be tough! Take your time with the book. I had to finish for a challenge. But I’ll check back until you are done!

[Kira]

Starting this series today!

[Kira]

Prologue - Chapter 8: (view spoiler)[This book sure has an interesting premise, nothing like I've ever read before and that has made me curious. I am not loving it honestly right now but don't want to give up on it as well. The different characters and learning about their lives is fascinating, I am waiting to see how Marie-Terese fits into it all. Jim's bit with the angels was so serene and unvbelievable, no wonder he was doubting his sanity lol. (hide spoiler)]

[Kira]

Chapter 9-18: (view spoiler)[Uhoh so Marie Terese caught Vin's eye and now he is absolutely enthralled by her. Somehow I don't believe that the dream Vin had about Devina was really just a dream, I guess Devina indeed might have some kind of hold on him, maybe she is a demon? I dont know what to make of Vin's hallucinaions/predictions. Jim thinks Vin proposing is the right way to go but surely that can't be it? I wonder how he is going to help Vin make the right decision (hide spoiler)]

[Kira]

Chapter 19-26: (view spoiler)[That damn stalker of Marie Terese is so scary, I am positively afraid that he'd hurt her in some way. Vin and Marie are a good enough couple, much better than him and Devina and I was right about her - she truly is devious. Falsely implicating Vin and now lying to Jim about how he had proposed her, I am curious to find out what is it exactly that she wants. No idea still how Jim is going to save Vin or Marie (hide spoiler)]

[Kira]

Chapter 27-34: (view spoiler)[So Devina IS a demon afterall. I wonder who that girl was whose body Jim found at her place. No doubt Devina will be back to exact her revenge or whatever the hell she wants from Vin. Eddie and Adrian are fallen angels but they irritate me the most ngl. I wonder how the stalker fits into it all. Kudos to Marie Terese for sticking with Vin even though she could easily have run away with her son (hide spoiler)]

[Kira]

Finished: (view spoiler)[OOOH this got quite interesting towards the end and full of action too. I am not sure about how much I liked all that violence but the basic plot aspect of it was super amazing. Those angels he sees after he dies are definitely a pain in the ass but entertaining ones. Vin and Marie/Gretchen got their happily ever after and im realising that the crossroads were actually for himself was a startling revelation. I am excited to see more of these battles between him and Devina (hide spoiler)]

[Laura]

Chapters 27-41
(view spoiler)[
It didn't make any sense to me either that Jim couldn't figure out he was with Devina instead of Sissy.
I figured out quicker that GB was the one at the crossroads rather then Duke but it took me longer to figure out they were related. Should have seen that🙄 (hide spoiler)]

[Laura]

Finished
(view spoiler)[
I'm wondering if Devina is correct and Jim is going to be the new Nigel and Sissy is going to take Jim's place?

Not sure how Jim is going to get the next one as beaten down as he is now??
Do you think Nigel committed suicide to help Jim?

I thought Cait had strength and determination to kill GB. I also enjoyed the ending...it really didn't turn out how I thought except for Devina winning the round (hide spoiler)]

[Laura]

I was able to borrow the next book, Geri. I have it for 21 days. Let me know when you'd like to start

[Geri]

Oh good. I can start any time. This week or next.

[Geri]

Nigel
(view spoiler)[
I am not sure all the reasons why he killed himself. I do think he had a plan and maybe thought this would somehow help in the fight between Jim and Devina. I’m interested to find out!
(hide spoiler)]

[Laura]

Geri wrote: "Oh good. I can start any time. This week or next."

Want to start next then? I can finish up the buddy read with Karen I'm currently reading.

[Geri]

Yep. I’ll plan to start next Monday, 9/25.

[Laura]

Great, me too!

[Kira]

Will be reading the second book tomorrow.

[Kira]

Prologue - Chapter 10: (view spoiler)[Excited to be back in the wrold of Fallen Angels. I was surprised that it took Jim quite some time to realise that Isaac himself was his next assignment and he needs to save his soul, not just relocate him to another country, Grier is going to become Isaac's love interest in this one it seems. I am curious to learn more about him and why he fights the way he does. It is clear he had an awful time at the military and may have lingering trauuma so Jim saving his soul would make for a good plot. I was surprised with devina visiting the psychologist. She is no doubt planning to wreak havoc in Jim's life for snagging the first win (hide spoiler)]

[Kira]

Chapter 11-19: (view spoiler)[Devina keeps messing with people's mind and I don't understand what exactly it is that she wants. Isaac could prove to be a difficult assignment for Jim considering he is so aloof and reluctant for any kind of help. His attraction to Grier is quite a stong one and I am liking the romance mostly. Also wondering if Daniel's ghost would play some role in the greater scheme of things (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 20-28: (view spoiler)[Damn Matthias is even more dangerous and cruel than I gave him credit for and Jim still not letting Devina take control of him says a lot about his character. I hope there is a redeeming arc for Matthias somewhere in the series because otherwise Jim surrendering to Devina would make no sense. Hearing about how Daniel really died was so sad, I kind of get why Alastair would be willing to bring Isaac to Matthias and save Grier. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 29-38: (view spoiler)[I see some semblence of improvement in Matthias thankfully, and rightly so, no one can handle a 180 degree turn to their personality overnight but I am glad that there is some hope left for him. I was positively afraid when that girl appeared in Devina's lair, it is clear that Jim is pained by the fact that he can't save her at the moment. I did not understand what happened in the last chapter , why that guy just shop himself, eager to read ahead (hide spoiler)]

Finished: (view spoiler)[ DANG Jim lost this time around but in all fairness no one could have known Matthias was the real test, I guess it would anyway have been too much for the good guy to win every time around - the competitive spirit continues with one all between Jim and Devina. I am very curious to see what and who Jim's next assignment might be. The happy ending for Isaac and Grier was quite lovely imo, and even with Daniel's soul finally finding peace! (hide spoiler)]

[Kira]

Chapter 1-7: (view spoiler)[I do not want to believe that Veck followed in his father’s footsteps and killed the serial killer guy even getting away with it so easily and I hope the author provides some sane explanation for the same. Not really feeling the romance between him and Reilly yet since it seems more like lust rather than genuike pining. Devina is getting obsessed with Jim and that makes me scared for him. I am guessing it’s Jim turn to win now so it will be very interesting to see how he saves Veck’s soul (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 8-18: (view spoiler)[I am thinking that Devina has a hold on Veck and she made him attack the serial killer who she is responsible for turning into a criminal too. I wonder how long has the game been in motion. This conflict between Jim and Adrian is bound to prove disastrous in the long run. i wish the angel could understand why Jim can’t simply consider Sissy as another war sacrifice. Did not understand the cancer thing though. Was Adrian calling Devina the disease and was some form of symbolism? (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 19-29: (view spoiler)[That harpy attack had me scared shitless that Jim was truly going to lose both Adrian and Eddie but atleast Adrian is fine now thank god and looks like has put his differences with Jim on the back burner as well. Jim needs all the help he can get to defeat Devina. I am getting a little used to the idea of romance between Veck and Reilly especially because they actually talked for once in this segment, them sharing their pasts with one another is a huge step, no wonder Reilly chickened out. Poor Sissy, losing her life in this war between angels and demons (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 30-41: (view spoiler)[Devina is so evil for trying to frame Veck for Sissy’s murder and with such a full proof plan. I do not doubt for a second that she has Bails under her control too because it was mentioned in the start that Veck hadn’t personalised his home at all so when did Bails even move the boxes for him? He just planted seeds of doubt in Reilly’s head to get her to break up with Veck and destabilise him. He is with Jim now though so I am hopeful that he will make the right choice when the time comes and maybe Reilly is close to realising too that she was set up (hide spoiler)]

Finished: (view spoiler)[This was a high tension ending, i must say i was not sure if Veck really would be able to pick the right path once we was presented with the crossroads and i was amazed that he chose not to kill Kroner in order to save Reilly. Jim did a good job guiding him through it. I am missing Eddie’s snarky humor. Devina is such a sore loser lol, i know she is supposed to be a villain but I have come to love her and Jim’s interactions. There is a kind of strange chemistry between the two. Happy that Veck and Reilly got their happy ending and Jim is gonna get another chance at Matthias! That sounds exciting. (hide spoiler)]

[Kira]

Chapter 10: (view spoiler)[I was honestly waiting for Matthias' redemption arc because just like the Maker I too wasn't satisfied with how things ended for him and I can already tell Mels coming into his life is going to be such a blessing. I do feel like Devina has the upper hand here considering she has already started influencing Matthias' soul and Jim isn't even aware that it is him he needs to save. But honestly, I have developed a certain liking for the demon herself. (hide spoiler)]

[Kira]

Finished Book 4.

Chapter 11-23: (view spoiler)[Matthias is slowly remembering things from his past and I am glad that Mels is being such a good influence on him. Devina always makes use of her seductive powers and it seems like Matthias may fall for it if Jim doesn't do something soon. The prostitude's dyed hair felt like a taunt to Jim honestly. I am very eager to see how Matthias makes the best out of this second chance he got at life (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 24-33: (view spoiler)[I didn't really enjoy all those hot scenes between Matthias and Mels honestly because I just can't seem to bring a liking to Mels. I am liking Matthias' history though, how he became who he was before he died for the first time. I am hoping it proves instrumental to Jim in saving his soul which I am sure he will since there is no way author is going to make Matthias evil two times in a row (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 34-45: (view spoiler)[The way Adrian healed Matthias was quite interesting and although Matthias feels "rotten to the core" with all the memories he is gaining, I do see the potential in him for change. Devina is being very over ambitious with her confidence in Matthias' inability to choose the right path and Mels being of no help to him. I am curious to see how angels win this round which they definitely would lol (hide spoiler)]

Finished: (view spoiler)[That ending was a bit too dramatic for me and I would have certainly appreciated it a lot more if it was straightforward honestly. Matthias dying and then coming back was meant to woo the hearts yet all I felt was irritation because that was way too convenient. The win for the angels wasn't much of a surprise too so there was no kick factor in this book. It read more like a prelude to the next one (hide spoiler)]

[Kira]

Will be continuing this after finishing my planned reads.

[Kira]

Chapter 1-10: (view spoiler)[I am confused atm as to who Jim is supposed to save this time around - I am guessing Cait but it might just as easily be G.B. too, I hope it's the former though because it's high time this stopped being a male centric story. I am also not sure whether Sissy is alive or dead or somewhere in between tbh but glad that Jim was finally able to get her out of Devina's clutches. I am curious to read ahead (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 11-20: (view spoiler)[Yikes Duke doesn't even know Cait's name and yet they had sex and slept with one another. I must say I am not a huge fan of "romances" in this series because it borders on the line of simply being physical which sometimes grow into a deeper bond. Poor Sissy, realising that she was dead indeed was painful for her. Now that Devina has something that could prove dangerous for Jim, I am eager to see how the angel saves the soul AND himself defeating Devina (hide spoiler)]

Chaptre 21-32: (view spoiler)[devina approaching G.B. makes me think that he the soul Jim ought to save this time around but then what about Duke and Cait's sorta love story going on in the sidelines. Seems like Sissy is coming to terms with her present state which is a relief tbh. Jim doesn't look like he is in the best shape and I don't think he is going to win this round. Devina pining after him despite them being nemesis - I don't know what to make of it (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 33-45: (view spoiler)[No way, Jim and Devina cannot quit. I did not embark on this journey to see these two forfeit the entire game during the very last innings but Jim ending up as Nigel isn't the desired outcome as well. Devina impersonating Sissy was creepy as hell and I wonder how Jim would react if he ever finds out. I am also a bit skeptical that Duke might not be the intended soul and Jim has misidentified the target once again (hide spoiler)]

Finished: (view spoiler)[Damn it I knew Duke was not the one Jim meant to save, he simply wasn't evil enough to warrant the Creator interfering with his fate but the revelation that G.B. and him were actually brothers and G.B. turning out to be sadistic killer definitely threw me for a loop. I am glad that Cait is okay and is with Duke now but I still am not a fan of their romance tbh, there was not enough substance to it imo. The final battle between Jim and Devina is going to be epic ngl (hide spoiler)]

[Kira]

Chapter 1-7: (view spoiler)[I am not at all liking Jim's romance with Sissy probably because of the age gap thing and him justfying how sex with Devina was just a chore and he did not "enjoy" it was tacky at best. I am wondering how he plans to brimg Nigel back grom the purgatory given that he has to be granted an exit pass by the Creator and that too might come with some conditions of its own. Jim needs to get his head back into the game (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 8-17: (view spoiler)[Damn did not think it was possible for both sides to put their differences at rest and bring Jim back together. Nigel was with him so atleast Jim won't have to take his place in heaven. Kinda wish there was a way to bring back Eddie too, maybe once Jim wins the war? Still not enjoying his and Sissy's interactions tbh, it just makes me very very uncomfortable, feeling slightly bad for Devina too, she is so far gone for Jim and doesn't understand he doesn't want her a bit (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 18-27: (view spoiler)[Unoh reading about Jim and Sissy was kinda awkward ngl but Devina's therapy sessions are always hilarious lol. That woman is crazy but in an entertaining sort of way. Ad's theory about how Sissy could be the final soul meant to be saved makes so much sense, I understand why Jim doesn't want to believe it. I am almost afraid that Sissy would lose all control when she comes to the hotel and witnesses Devina and Jim together. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 28-40: (view spoiler)[Hmm Sissy recognising Jim even through the illusion Devina had put on him by the means of the halo was something I hadn't even thought of, it was a good plot twist. Eddie is back and I couldn't be happier, The Creator definitely seems to favor the good side over the evil. I have grown so fond of Devina over the course of the series that it was sad watching her feel defeated and saying goodbye to the therapist. I wonder now that Sissy is free of her mark, what Devina's next step would be (hide spoiler)]

Finished: (view spoiler)[It was a perfect end with Jim being the last soul to be saved because...boy did he need saving lol. But I felt it to be a bit lacking in action, like there was such a great build up throughout the series about how it was imperative he won the war but when he actually did , nothing momentous happened. The therapist actually being the Creator fucked with my head. Can't say I am happy about Jim and Sissy being together but glad that everything turned out to be ok at the end and Jim got to meet his mom in heaven (hide spoiler)]