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bingley's review against another edition
5.0
One of my favorite anthologies, actually probly my FAVE anthology.
I think this was the one that got me into anthologies, tbh lol.
All SOLID stories that made me check out every Author's other works.
TLDR: I've reread this and I'll probly reread it again.
I think this was the one that got me into anthologies, tbh lol.
All SOLID stories that made me check out every Author's other works.
TLDR: I've reread this and I'll probly reread it again.
smuttea_matcha's review
3.0
Okay, so this isn't a full review. This is strictly for Alphas: Origins.
It's crazy how much detail and world-building Andrews stuffed into this little piece. It was interesting to read of the different pockets of space, the different sub species and their abilities, and the reason for their existence. Arthur? Dick. Henry? Adorable. Lucas? That psycho dog everyone loves. It's interesting to see how Karina picks herself up and makes all her decisions based off the protection and safety of her daughter. To see how Karina starts to sympathize for Lucas, that was adorable. Anyway, I don't know if I'll read the other short stories, but I'd recommend the Alphas: Origins to Ilona Andrews fans. This book doesn't rely heavily on smut and romance, but it definitely builds a little.
It's crazy how much detail and world-building Andrews stuffed into this little piece. It was interesting to read of the different pockets of space, the different sub species and their abilities, and the reason for their existence. Arthur? Dick. Henry? Adorable. Lucas? That psycho dog everyone loves. It's interesting to see how Karina picks herself up and makes all her decisions based off the protection and safety of her daughter. To see how Karina starts to sympathize for Lucas, that was adorable. Anyway, I don't know if I'll read the other short stories, but I'd recommend the Alphas: Origins to Ilona Andrews fans. This book doesn't rely heavily on smut and romance, but it definitely builds a little.
jena_33's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
belleflamey's review
2.0
It was okay. Nothing fab. I liked the NS novella the most, primarily because I really enjoy her Guild Hunter series.
angels_gp17's review
3.0
Angels of Darkness is an Anthology full of four short stories from [a:Ilona Andrews|21748|Ilona Andrews|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1219436898p2/21748.jpg], [a:Nalini Singh|71688|Nalini Singh|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1423312512p2/71688.jpg], [a:Meljean Brook|24009|Meljean Brook|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1317348186p2/24009.jpg], and [a:Sharon Shinn|28544|Sharon Shinn|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1218995575p2/28544.jpg].
Meljean Brook and Sharon Shinn where new to me authors. I actually picked this book up to read Ilona Andrews, [b:Origins|27257359|Origins (Alphas, #0.5)|Ilona Andrews|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1445543785s/27257359.jpg|47307321]; since it has been published on it’s own as well as wanting to read Nalini Singh, [b:Angel's Wolf|18895600|Angel's Wolf (Guild Hunter, #3.5)|Nalini Singh|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1385177663s/18895600.jpg|26899944]; since I’m currently reading her Guild Hunter series.
Below Are Individual Reviews
Angel’s Wolf (Guild Hunter #3.5) by Nalini Singh
Rated 3.5 Stars - I enjoyed this short story. I liked both Nimra the Angel and Noel the Vampire. Nimra needs help and Raphael sends Noel, but he thinks he’s been cast aside; because of what happened to him. Both of them needed healing in different ways and they come to find what they need in each other.
Angel’s Wolf is a sweet, sad, and enjoyable read.
Alphas: Origins (Alphas #0.5) by Ilona Andrews
Rated 3.5 Stars - I enjoyed this short story. It’s darker then what I’m used to from the Andrews team. It was very interesting and the world is vast. I would love more, maybe a series, but at this time the Andrews team has no plans on writing more in this world/series. The heroine, she is thrown into a difficult situation and she coupes with it rather well, maybe to well. I enjoyed all the characters introduced. I just felt we needed more. We barely scratch the surface of this new world and the characters.
Alphas: Origins is an intense, stressful, and fast-paced adventure.
Nocturne (Samaria) by Sharon Shinn
Rated 3.5 Stars - I enjoyed this short story. It’s an interesting world and what we get makes me want to dig deeper into it. I liked the set up and characters. It's unique in it’s portrayale of angels, angel-seekers, and humans. We have a sexy brooding angel and a daughter of an angel who is human. The romance for our leads, Corban and Moriah, blooms over time, which was nice to read. The slow burn and banter between the two made the romance believable. Both where looking for something and they found it in each other.
Nocturne is a sweet slow burn romance.
Ascension (The Guardians #7.5) by Meljean Brook
Rated 3 Stars - I enjoyed this short story. Marc and Radha are both Guardians, which means they are warriors given angelic powers to fight demons. These two have a past and it’s complicated. They end up working together to find the demon causing problems as well as who is killing supernaturals and humans. I did have trouble connecting to both Marc and Radha. It could be because they had a past or that this novella took place farthing in the series.
Ascension has a little mystery, drama, and whole lot of sexual tension.
All and all this anthology was ok! I don’t buying anthologies, but I do like to pick them up at the library. I sometimes find new authors in anthologies to try out.
Rated: 3 Angels of Darkness Stars
desiree_mcl's review
3.0
This is just for Alphas: Origins by Ilona Andrews.
3.5 stars.
I enjoyed this story. It wasn't the best of Ilona Andrews stories, short or normal length, but it was a solid story. One thing that actually hurt the story for me was the huge information dump. There was that problem in [b:Magic Bites|38619|Magic Bites (Kate Daniels, #1)|Ilona Andrews|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1257727888s/38619.jpg|38381] as well but it wasn't as obvious because the story was longer and I was able to get used to the information over that period of time. Overall this was an interesting story and I enjoyed the characters.
3.5 stars.
I enjoyed this story. It wasn't the best of Ilona Andrews stories, short or normal length, but it was a solid story. One thing that actually hurt the story for me was the huge information dump. There was that problem in [b:Magic Bites|38619|Magic Bites (Kate Daniels, #1)|Ilona Andrews|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1257727888s/38619.jpg|38381] as well but it wasn't as obvious because the story was longer and I was able to get used to the information over that period of time. Overall this was an interesting story and I enjoyed the characters.
inmyhumbleopinion's review
4.0
Angels of Darkness by Nalini Singh, Ilona Andrews, Meljean Brook, and Sharon Shinn
Four stories with angels or angel like creatures.
Angel’s Wolf by Nalini Singh – This story takes place in Nalini Singh’s Guild Hunter world. If you love her Guild Hunter novels you will enjoy Angel’s Wolf. This story doesn’t involve any of the major characters except peripherally. Nimra is an angel holding territory in Louisiana for Raphael. She has a problem and is sent Noel, a damaged vampire, to assist her. A good short story.
Alphas: Origins by Ilona Andrews – This is unlike anything I’ve read from Ilona Andrews. This is by far the most unique of the stories in this anthology. I usually have a time with the first novel in any series because it is taken up with world building so when you can read a short story like this and get through the world building too. It just goes to show how talented the Ilona Andrews team is. I’d encourage them to continue with this but I don’t want to them take time away from their Kate Daniels series.
Nocturne by Sharon Shinn – This story takes place in Sharon Shinn’s Samaria series world. I’ll have to admit I haven’t read anything in that series but I may now. A thoroughly delightful tale of a serving girl and a blind angel.
Ascension by Meljean Brook - This story takes place in Meljean Brook’s Guardian series world. I’ll have to admit I haven’t read anything in that series either. It too sounds like it might be worth checking out. I like that the angel like Guardians are flawed and can have a crisis of faith.
Four stories with angels or angel like creatures.
Angel’s Wolf by Nalini Singh – This story takes place in Nalini Singh’s Guild Hunter world. If you love her Guild Hunter novels you will enjoy Angel’s Wolf. This story doesn’t involve any of the major characters except peripherally. Nimra is an angel holding territory in Louisiana for Raphael. She has a problem and is sent Noel, a damaged vampire, to assist her. A good short story.
Alphas: Origins by Ilona Andrews – This is unlike anything I’ve read from Ilona Andrews. This is by far the most unique of the stories in this anthology. I usually have a time with the first novel in any series because it is taken up with world building so when you can read a short story like this and get through the world building too. It just goes to show how talented the Ilona Andrews team is. I’d encourage them to continue with this but I don’t want to them take time away from their Kate Daniels series.
Nocturne by Sharon Shinn – This story takes place in Sharon Shinn’s Samaria series world. I’ll have to admit I haven’t read anything in that series but I may now. A thoroughly delightful tale of a serving girl and a blind angel.
Ascension by Meljean Brook - This story takes place in Meljean Brook’s Guardian series world. I’ll have to admit I haven’t read anything in that series either. It too sounds like it might be worth checking out. I like that the angel like Guardians are flawed and can have a crisis of faith.
stephcandy's review
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I really enjoyed all four stories on their own. I felt like they didn't flow together as well as I personally like anthologies to go. Overall though, the stories were sexy, romantic and fun.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Slavery and Sexual content