Angela H. (AngelaDionne) reviewed on 3/30/2011 + 55 more book reviews

Helpful Score: 10

******************** SPOILERS ****************************************

3 1/2 stars...

I think I have figured out why I was both very happy with this installment and very unhappy. First, I wasn't invested in Payne and Manny the way I have been with other characters, I didn't really know much about them. We have caught glimpses of both of them in previous books but, haven't really gotten to know them or got caught up in their stories. If this was a stand alone book the love story between them would have been more satisfying. I think alot of the three star reviews over this being "their" book is because we are more interested in seeing the book for Qhuinn and Blay or maybe Tohr or maybe even some resolution with Layla. Ms. Ward seems to be back to more of an Urban Fantasy novel than straight romance, which is okay with me as I love Urban Fantasy. I was also okay with Payne and Manny's romance because in my mind the over all story arc was moved along and some questions we've had about certain relationships have been resolved.

What made me very happy with the book was some resolution to the cube (I would say love triangle but there are four people) of V, Butch, Jane and Marissa. After V's book and even Butch's book I was a little upset with how, in my opinion, V and Butch got shafted in the love department. I've always felt that they might love their shellans but they really, truly were IN LOVE with each other, and their story kind of felt like it was in a to be continued... mode. Although we don't see Marissa much in this book we do get to know Jane better and there is kind of a climax to Jane, V and Butch's relationship that made me content. I was glad to see the scenes dealing with V's feelings about his Shellan, his past and what he needed to do to be able to be a whole person.

Which moves me to what really upset me.... there isn't much of Qhuinn and Blay in this book, and no interaction between the two. I was thrilled when Qhuinn finally admitted he was in love with Blay to someone other than himself. I was like.. fist pump... YEAH!... then we get to a scene where he has this "vision" of a girl with Layla's face and his mismatched eyes and my heart just... sank. WHAT IN THE HELL IS WITH THAT? For at least a year we've heard on the blogs and such that Qhuinn and Blay are confirmed HEAs which made waiting for their story to play out much easier... then this is thrown in the mix. I can't stand the thought of Blay and Qhuinn not getting their happily ever after. I don't care if some of the readers don't care for m/m relationships, it would be heartbreaking if they didn't get some happiness together at the end of all this angst between the two.

...................okay, I'm calm now........................
So on Payne and Manny's part in the book 3 stars
V, Butch and Jane's part 5 stars
Qhuinn and Blay's part 1 star

Last thoughts: I wish we knew who the next book was going to be about... there is literally no guessing who it might be. I was glad we got to be introduced to Vek who is to be the main character in the next Fallen Angels book (Envy is the title i think). He seemed interesting and I was glad to get a little background before that book is released later this year.
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