RAZIEL is the first book in Kristin Douglas' debut series, The Fallen. The Fallen are a group of angels long ago cast out of heaven and now living in the hidden world of Sheol. They have been cursed to drink human blood, outlive their mates and never bear children. Their only job is to escort the souls of the dead to their destiny. As one of the original Fallen, Raziel has grown tired of watching the women he loves die and has sworn them off. When he realizes one of the souls he was sent to ferry is heading to hell, he pulls her back from her fate. Now he's in trouble with Uriel, the only archangel who hasn't fallen, and his growing feeling for the human are becoming impossible to ignore.

Everything was going just fine in Allie Watson's life, until she steps in front of a bus and meets her untimely demise. Then a gorgeous stranger shows up to take her to the afterlife and things really start to get strange. Instead of enduring the flames of hell like she was supposed to, she instead ends up in a strange land with blood-sucking angels who question her presence and evil monsters trying to attack. The only thing that makes it bearable is Raziel, the angle that saved her. All she wants to do is ignore the heat building between them and go back home, but with no way to return and a war building in Sheol, Allie's future I is anything but certain.

With RAZIEL Kristina Douglas has created a new world of sensuality and danger. The back-story is well laid out as it should be in first book of a new series. It is clear nearly from the start who the Fallen are, how they ended up cursed in a hidden world, and who their enemies are. In fact, I found the back-story so interesting that I hope one day Douglas will write a prequel. The book does seem a little slow moving at first, but I think it was necessary to set the background. As the relationship between Raziel and Allie builds and the war with their enemies comes to a head, the story definitely picks up in pace. Hot sex and intense fighting scenes kept me turning the pages until the end. Douglas also created an intriguing cast of secondary characters that left me wanting to know more about them. Luckily the overall story has enough lose ends that we are practically guaranteed several more installments in this captivating new series.

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The first book in the series of The Fallen; the story of Raziel and Allie. There were a few things I didn't like. It took far too long for the two of them to give it up and get together. I knew who the bad guy was too soon. Some things that happened you could see coming a mile away. However, other things came about that were a complete surprise. When they did finally unite the bond between them was awesome to witness. There was a decent amount of action, and the ending couldn't have been better. Two thumbs up and I can't wait for #2.

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Absolutely captivating. This series is a new take on the whole vampire/angel theme. It has a lot of religious reference as the skeleton of the story, but it does not bog it down. At the core of the book is the passionate journey of Raziel and Allie. Allie is stubborn, strong willed, and not afraid to speak her mind. Raziel has existed for centuries and is not used to his women being outspoken and defiant. Their path is very humorous, and I found their sense of humor great. When all hell breaks loose when the Nephilim breach the gate aided by a traitor, they finally come together and realize their bond. I enjoyed this book so much I read it in one day and will preorder the next one. If you like Nalini Singh's Archangel series, you will love this one too.

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Story is mainly told in first person alternating between Allie and Raziel. This kinda worked since I got both POV. The issues I had were mainly with neither character being very likeable. Allie could have been less superficial/obsessed with her appearance. Raziel was an alpha asshole. "I made her move. Because I could."
In the end, I didn't care. Glad this book is done. Not reading book 2.

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This is the antithesis of a romance. There is little romance at all and no hero, just an anti-hero who is abrasive and downright rude. The story jumps back and forth between Raziel and Allie's POVs with little distinction between. This is a harsh book that does eventually grow on you and have you routing for the good guys, jeering Uriel and hoping for Lucifer to save the day. Yeah that says it all, doesn't it?

I will read the next in the series in hopes that the hero actually is. It's different enough to provide some much needed variety in the genre.

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A brilliant piece of work by Kristina Douglas (aka Anne Stuart) that takes the Judeo-Christian foundations and blows them to smithereens! All in the guise of a paranormal romance novel. SWEET!

But every time I went to the library, this book called out to me. Really, it did. I caved. RAZIEL is the type of novel that makes you think. If it doesnt; then you have missed a very integral part of Ms. Douglas work.

Allie is dead; her human, physical body gone. She now exists in Sheol. She should have gone to meet her Maker. Allie is full of sass, doesnt want to be dead, and just wants to go home. Her wisecracks and references to modern day entertainment are delightful. Raziel escorted Allie to her Final Destination, but at the last moment, pulled her back from the fires of hell. Now, she is his responsibility. Raziel doesnt understand his attraction to her; he sworn off all women ages ago when his last mate died. He does not want to go through that pain again. He will not give Uriel that satisfaction.

Now, Uriel -- hes a tightass. God left him in charge when He gave mankind freewill. Uriel is all black and white; no gray areas: He is judge, jury and executioner. When Angels slip and start to care for the humans they are helping, they become Fallen. Uriels pissed at the Fallen; he sends the Nephilim.

These are just a few of the reasons why I want more of THE FALLEN. There are a variety of concepts in play here.

Flesh and blood. Allie is dead, but she still reacts in an all too human way. The Fallen are blood-eaters and the Nephilim are flesh-eaters. A human (flesh) is The Source of blood for The Fallen.

Good and Evil = Uriel vs. Lucifer. Or is it the other way around? The Fallen love the humans they care for and are judged by Uriel and cursed. Azazel, the Alpha of the The Fallen, would rather dispose of Allie than have to deal with her.

Oh, and lets not forget the romance and HFN.

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